Anibal Medina

Profile Summary: Anibal Medina (aka Alazaur)

Meet Anibal Medina, better known in the chess world as Alazaur – a player whose journey through the 64 squares has been as dynamic as a knight’s quirky hop and as resilient as a stubborn pawn climbing the ranks.

Starting with humble beginnings in 2021, Anibal’s rapid rating danced between the highs of around 1100 and the lows near 760 – quite the rollercoaster for those thrill-seeking chess fans. But like any true strategist, he persevered and elevated his game substantially. By mid-2023, he scaled an impressive peak rapid rating of 1413, proving that dedication and maybe a sprinkle of luck can trump even the trickiest traps.

Anibal’s style is a balanced cocktail of patience and tactical flair, averaging around 61 moves in victories versus 46 in defeat, exhibiting a tenacious grip especially in the endgame, where nearly half of his games meet their fate. When the chips are down, he doesn't throw in the towel easily — boasting a spicy 73% comeback rate after losing material. We all have that one friend who never gives up, and for Anibal, chess is no exception.

Featuring a preference for openings like the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation and the Giuoco Piano, Alazaur can often be spotted quietly plotting out positional nuances or springing out tactical surprises – sometimes with a dash of that “Top Secret” opening for added intrigue (and mystique).

Among his strengths is a nearly equal winning record with White and Black, hovering just above the 50% mark — proving he’s a worthy combatant no matter the color, making opponents wonder if he’s cheating by flipping the board mid-game.

His peak blitz rating stands at 1061, and his bullet peeked at 1031, indicating a player who enjoys both rapid positional battles and the adrenaline rush of lightning-fast games. Speaking of adrenaline, Anibal’s best times to mash those keys and move those pieces are bright and early at 7 AM, when he’s presumably fueled by coffee and dreams of checkmate.

Fun fact: Alazaur's longest winning streak stretched impressively to 19 games, but even the best stumble—the longest losing skid was 12. No shame in that, just more tales for post-match banter.

Recent Triumph

In a recent rapid battle against the aptly nicknamed c-o-l-l-i-n-s, Alazaur bested his opponent by resignation. The game featured precise execution in the Scandinavian Defense, ending elegantly after 31 moves. Check it out here.

Chess Personality

• Comeback Kid: Nearly 73% comeback rate after losing material.
• Endgame Enthusiast: Almost half of games reach the endgame phase.
• Strategic Dabbler: Likes to experiment with openings – from the solid Giuoco Piano to the mysterious “Top Secret.”
• Tilts and Thrills: Has a 12% tilt factor, so expect moments of human frailty amidst the laser-focused strategy.
• Win/Loss Record: Solid winning record in rapid and blitz formats, with tens of thousands of wins across thousands of games – you know, just casual weekend warrior stuff.

Whether you’re a grandmaster or a casual enthusiast, watching Anibal “Alazaur” Medina’s games is like witnessing the daily life of a chess gladiator – fighting the good fight, sometimes winning, sometimes learning, but always pushing the limits of his passion with a smile (and probably a coffee).