Karthik Rajaa IM

Karthik Rajaa (aka adapodadei)

Title: International Master (FIDE)

Karthik Rajaa is not just any chess player, but an International Master with a rapid tactical mind and a penchant for blitz battles that would make even the fastest grandmasters pause. Known online as adapodadei, Karthik has refined a style that combines deep endgame knowledge with blistering speed — often turning games with comeback rate soaring to nearly 90%!

Playing Style & Strengths

Patience is a virtue, but Karthik’s games prove that patience paired with early resignation avoidance (a mere 0.28%) and persistence through long endgames (engaging in over 85% of games with complex endgames) becomes a winning formula. Victories are typically fairly lengthy affairs, averaging over 80 moves to a win — so don't blink, or you might miss a stunning maneuver. White pieces bring him slightly better fortune with a 60% win rate, but Black’s no pushover either with nearly 57% wins.

Ratings & Records

• Peak Blitz Rating: 2790 (early 2023) — almost on the brink of the elusive 2800 barrier.
• Peak Rapid Rating: 2559
• Peak Bullet Rating: 2752

With well over 1,800 blitz games played at a Top Secret opening repertoire and a solid win rate close to 56%, Karthik is truly a force in the rapid-fire world of online chess. His rapid wins boast a remarkable 91.67% win rate with the trusted same openings, signaling a deadly familiarity and precision when time is slightly more generous.

Psychological Quirks & Fun Facts

Playing at odd hours? Count Karthik in. His best time to play is the magical 4:00 AM slot, when the world sleeps and the pieces dance to his tune. Beware if faced with him early in the morning—the tilt factor is modest at 7, so he rarely lets frustration get the better of him.

He wins more on Saturdays (winning 2 out of 3 games roughly) and maintains a sharp edge during evening hours around 8 PM, with nearly 67% win rate around 8 AM and 4 AM too. Apparently, coffee’s no match for this nocturnal ninja.

Recent Notable Performance

In one of his recent blitz victories (January 28, 2025), Karthik artfully navigated a Caro-Kann Defense, showcasing typical Karthik traits: resilient defense, strategic pressure, and a final flourish forcing the opponent to lose on time. The game was a beautifully slow burn, demonstrating his knack for outlasting opponents on the clock as much as on the board.

Opponents & Rivalries

Karthik enjoys a variety of opponents but has faced usernames like timelesslimitless, tpros, and even the strong GM Daniel Naroditsky multiple times, engaging in fierce duels across online arenas — though the win rate against Daniel hovers around a humble 8%, suggesting a worthy nemesis to chase down!

In Summary

Karthik Rajaa is a fascinating blend of blitz speedster and endgame virtuoso, a player who’s consistently climbing and already imposing in both online and offline chess scenes. Whether with lightning bullet moves or marathon-like endgames, he’s a player sure to entertain and challenge, all while probably enjoying a late-night snack and a cup of strong tea. So if you see adapodadei logged in, buckle up—you're in for a thrilling chess ride.