Tamas Vanczak IM

Personalised Feedback for Tamas Vanczak

What you are already doing well

• Initiative-seeking play: In many Chess960 positions you claim space quickly with pawn thrusts such as g4/g5 or f4/f5. This often unbalances the position and creates winning chances (see your win vs. Tihomir Yanev – moves 12-20).
• Tactical alertness: You spot intermediate moves and zwischenzugs (e.g. 16.Rxf5!! in the same game). Puzzle-like positions rarely scare you.
• Fighting spirit: Even when down material you continue setting problems, converting several inferior endgames to wins or practical chances.

Recurring themes to address

• Time management
  Both recent losses to Havard Haug and Matvey Galchenko were on time in defendable positions. Try the 5 second rule: if a move does not change the evaluation you trust, play it quickly and bank time for critical moments.
• King safety after flank pawn pushes
  Your trademark g/h-pawn storms sometimes leave holes (loss vs. Maksym Dubnevych, 24…Bxe3!). Before advancing a wing pawn, ask “How does this weaken the squares behind it?” ➜ Drill: play training games where you are forbidden to touch the g-pawn until move 10; you will feel the difference in structure awareness.
• Over-reliance on tactics instead of structure
  Several defeats originate from ignoring central pawn breaks by the opponent (e.g. 28…e4! in the same loss). Incorporate one quiet “solidifying” move every 5-6 moves to keep the position sound.
• Endgame conversion
  In the loss to Maksym Dubnevych you reached a drawn rook + pawn endgame but mis-co-ordinated your king (64.Ne4+?). Spend 15 minutes/day on the Silman endgame “endings you must know” list.

Opening & planning checklist (applicable even in Chess960)

1. Castle before move 10 whenever feasible.
2. Develop pieces toward the centre; strange start positions are no excuse to ignore activity.
3. Complete development before launching pawn storms (especially wing pawns).
4. If your opponent attacks a flank, hit in the centre (classical principle still works in 960).

Suggested training routine (4 weeks)

Your recent trend

Peak rapid rating: 2145 (2020-07-28). Use the charts below to spot “tilt-hours” or favourable days and adjust your playing schedule accordingly.

Illustrative example

Replay the critical phase of your latest win and ask yourself where Black could have equalised:

Key concept to internalise this week

“Loose pieces drop off” – evaluate every move by counting how many of your pieces are currently loose (undefended piece). Reduce that number to 0 before entering sharp lines.

Next milestone

Target a stable 1700 rapid rating by focusing on time handling and king safety discipline. You already have the tactical firepower; couple it with solid structures and you will leap forward.

Good luck, Tamas – and remember to enjoy the journey!