Drew

Drew (apshirk) - The Tactical Time-Traveler

Meet Drew, better known by the username apshirk, a chess enthusiast who dances gracefully on the 64 squares like a grandmaster in training—and occasionally like a grandmaster in procrastination. With a peak Bullet rating of 924 (reached in June 2024), a Rapid high of 973, and a Blitz best of 994, Drew has certainly crafted a presence in all time controls, with a particular penchant for quick, brain-bending bullet games.

Drew's journey is a rollercoaster of spikes and dips, starting at a humble Bullet rating around 577 back in late 2022 and climbing to a serious peak over 900 in mid-2024. Although the rating zigzags with the feverish excitement of online chess marathons (and perhaps a few premature resignations), the endurance is impressive: Drew has battled through thousands of bullet games, showing both resilience and relentless passion.

Playing Style & Strengths

Not for Drew the slow, ponderous moves of yesteryears. With an average game length of roughly 50 moves for wins and 55 moves for losses, this player enjoys marathoning through middlegames and endgames alike. Speaking of endgames, Drew dives into them with gusto, featuring an Endgame Frequency of over 57%, proving they're not just a flash in the pan.

With a white win rate just a shade better than black, Drew balances aggression and defense with equal flair. Drawing early to unplayable positions is not Drew's style; instead, they're known for a moderate tendency to resign early (~3.7%), keeping the games competitive and respecting time.

Psychological and Tactical Quirks

Drew might occasionally feel the tilt—about 14 on the Tilt Factor scale—but bounces back like a seasoned fighter. Thanks to a remarkable Comeback Rate of nearly 74%, losing a piece is merely a temporary setback. Though the win rate after losing a piece hovers around 44%, it reveals a fighter who refuses to go down without a tactical twist.

Time management is often the battlefield for Drew. In Bullet games, many wins and losses have ended on timeouts, highlighting a rapid-fire style that occasionally races against the clock with fiery intensity.

Opening Choices – The King's Gambit Evader

Drew is fond of the King's Pawn Opening, which accounts for nearly 3,000 games in Bullet, reflecting a classical approach peppered with a modern twist. The Center Game is another favorite, boasting an impressive win rate close to 58%—clearly, Drew knows how to seize the central battleground. Other openings like the Scandinavian Defense and Queen's Pawn Opening reveal a willingness to venture into less mainstream lines, keeping opponents guessing and occasionally baffled.

Memorable Recent Games

Drew's recent victories include a notable game against gest148790, where strategic piece exchanges and a patient siege led to a win on time—because nothing says "chess confidence" like letting your opponent run out of seconds while you quietly plot checkmate. Drew also handled cotac99 with similar finesse, again triumphing on time, proving time pressure is an old friend.

Of course, even warriors fall; Drew has seen losses by checkmate and time against tough opponents like WL12242010 and utecht007, showing that even the best occasionally trip over their own pawns. But in true Drew fashion, losses are learning moments, fueling the next streak.

Stats Snapshot

• Total Bullet Wins: 5,054
• Total Bullet Losses: 5,157
• Rapid Wins: 1,857 | Losses: 1,894
• Blitz Wins: 37 | Losses: 44
• Longest Winning Streak: 13 wins
• Longest Losing Streak: 14 losses

A Fun Fact

Drew's best hour for chess dominance is just before lunch (12:00 PM), so if you want to challenge them, make sure to catch them either before a snack or after a power nap—because strategy and snacks go hand in hand.

Keep an eye on this crafty tactician with an unyielding love for the game, a knack for comebacks, and a clock that's almost as unpredictable as their moves. Drew might still be climbing the ranks, but with endless games under the belt and a spirit tougher than a knight's defense, the checkmate of glory is just around the corner.