Alex Stripunsky is a formidable Grandmaster known for his aggressive and tactical playstyle, especially shining in blitz chess. Whether it's lightning-fast bullet games or sharp rapid matches, Alex has left a mark on every time control he enters. His approach combines deep preparation with a flair for the dramatic—expect fireworks on the board and some memorable comebacks!
Playing Style & Strengths
Alex thrives in dynamic positions and isn't shy about early confrontations. His games often feature:
High endgame frequency, showing skillful technique after the dust settles.
Strong tactical awareness—with nearly 90% comeback rate, few manage to keep him down once he's behind!
A balanced record as White and Black, with a slight edge playing with White pieces.
Rapid adaptation to pressure situations, but a playful tilt factor of 8 means he’s human too.
Favorite Openings
Alex demonstrates particular prowess with these openings:
Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System — Winning nearly 77% in blitz, a fortress of success.
Sicilian Defense: Closed — A balanced weapon with a 50-67% win rate in blitz and bullet.
Owen Defense — A bullet favorite, boasting an impeccable 100% win rate across 4 games.
Rapid specialists: The Kan Variation of the Sicilian and Neo-Indian lines, both with flawless records.
Career Highlights
Peak Blitz rating of 2775 (achieved in May 2020) — almost cheating level!
Peak Bullet rating of 2750 (early 2020), proving he is as fierce in 1-minute battles as in 3+ seconds.
Rapid peak rating reached 2550, rounding out an all-around strong repertoire.
Accrued over 230 wins in blitz games with a solid 52.7% strength-adjusted win rate.
Notable Opponents & Rivalries
Alex has squared off with many opponents multiple times; highlights include:
samf64 — a long-standing rivalry with 41 encounters, Alex holds a positive score.
gmalsayed — 31 games, a challenging dance with a tough opponent.
speedskater and nguyenxi — frequent battles with mixed results.
Fun Facts
His best time to play? A mysterious 11 PM slot, where his wins peak at nearly 78%—clearly a night owl on the hunt.
The "early resignation rate" is just 2%, proving Alex fights to the bitter end (or until the coffee runs out).
Average decisive game length in his victories clocks around 84 moves, so don't expect quick draws when facing him!
Coach Chesswick
Coach's Advice
It's been a while since you played. Play a few more games so we have more positions and decisions to review — then I can provide you with clearer, more actionable advice.
