17-year-old Ethan Sheehan spoke about his strategy at the Naroditsky Memorial 2026. Ethan explains that he focuses on time, and gives an example from his game against Mukhiddin Madaminov.

Ethan Sheehan

Ethan Sheehan

American National Master

“My main strategy is just to not get into time pressure.

I always try to push my opponents on the clock. In non-concrete positions, I just make a move instantly that I know isn’t a blunder just because I know that thinking won’t produce a much better move.

I know that Mukhiddin, for example, blundered in time pressure against me. If he wasn’t — if he didn’t have 5 seconds left — he definitely would have held that position.”

The Naroditsky Memorial Rapid & Blitz 2026 took place from July 3 to 5. 17-year-old American National Master Ethan Sheehan advanced to the Blitz Final in a 10-player Round-Robin format. In the Final, he defeated Hikaru Nakamura, Mukhiddin Madaminov, and others and finished 3rd. Ethan was the only non-GM to play in the Blitz Final.

Credit: MTS Sickle Cell Foundation Inc