Alua Nurman - Woman Grandmaster Extraordinaire
Meet Alua Nurman, a Woman Grandmaster whose chess battles resemble thrilling epics rather than just games. Known online as aloe_normansen, Alua has navigated the 64 squares with a blend of tenacity, tactical brilliance, and a pinch of that mysterious "chess magic" only true warriors possess.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, Alua’s journey through Rapid, Blitz, and Bullet chess formats has been nothing short of impressive. She carved her path starting from a Rapid rating of 1372, ascending to an impressive peak of 2245 in May 2023. But don’t let rapid be the star alone: her Blitz rating soared to a breathtaking 2715 in November 2024, and her Bullet peaked at a snappy 2607 the same year. Yes, she gets the clock ticking faster, and the adrenaline pumping!
Playing Style & Strengths
- Endgame enthusiast – playing through long, strategic battles, averaging over 73 moves per win.
- Psychologically fierce, with an astounding comeback rate of 86%, proving that even when the chips are down, Alua doesn't just fold – she flips the board and makes you rethink your life choices.
- Prefers creative mystery openings, often going for "Unknown Opening" with a solid ~54% win rate in Rapid and Bullet formats.
- A bit of a night owl, with the best time to catch her at her peak brilliance around 4:00 AM. So, if you want to dethrone her, don’t expect a friendly morning game.
Record Highlights
With over 418 wins in Blitz alone, and a proud winning record in Bullet and Rapid play, Alua is a fierce rival to face. She boasts an extraordinary 17-game winning streak—because once she starts winning, there’s no stopping her momentum. Though losses do sneak in (hey, nobody’s perfect), her ability to bounce back is what sets champions apart.
Alua also enjoys a few friendly rivalries, having faced opponents like katerynalagno 17 times, and sultantan 9 times, always bringing a steely gaze and calculated moves to every match.
Recent Battles
Just recently, in February 2025, Alua played a captivating game featuring the Pirc Defense, ending in a victorious resignation by her opponent. Not one to shy from complexity, aloe_normansen dances through openings like a grandmaster ballerina, elegantly transforming tactical opportunities into checkmates.
However, even the best stumble occasionally. Her most recent loss was against HimalLama, a reminder that chess is a lifelong voyage filled with thrills, spills, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
Behind the Scenes
Alua’s style is so captivating that her opponents sometimes wonder if she’s got a secret move named “Top Secret”—though if it exists, her track record with it is a cheeky 9% win rate, so she mostly sticks to her well-honed battle strategies. Perhaps it's just a clever ruse to keep rival grandmasters guessing.
Also worth noting: resignation is a go-to endgame move for her opponents, suggesting they know when things get perilous. Alua’s tactical awareness shines through, leaving them no comfortable retreat.
Final Note
Whether you're a chess fan or just stumbled upon her name, Alua Nurman is a name to remember—a grandmaster who combines skill, grit, and a dash of personality to keep the chess world entertained and challenged.