Atul Salaskar

Atul Salaskar: The Sith Lord of the Reti Opening

Atul Salaskar, known in the chess circles as AtulSalaskar, is a rapid chess enthusiast who treats the 64 squares like a playground, a battleground, and sometimes—an undefeated fortress. With a peak rapid rating of 1425 achieved back in April 2020, Atul proved that patience and tactical prowess do indeed pay off, especially when harnessing the subtle power of the Reti Opening and its kin.

Game Style and Strategy

Atul's playing style can be summarized as a blend of cautious resilience and strategic ingenuity. Preferring rapid time controls, Atul's games typically last around 54 moves when winning and about 42 moves when losing—a hint that his battles are no quick skirmishes but dogged duels. His average first capture occurs around move 5, meaning he’s not one to rush but also not averse to claiming pawns early—stirring the pot when the time is right.

Interestingly, Atul's strongest weapon is not just his openings but his spirit: with a comeback rate of 60.95%, he’s like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a lost piece, often flipping the board’s momentum. Although his tilt factor scores a humble 12—suggesting he keeps his cool better than most—he does have an impeccable sense of the clock, shining brightest at 9 PM when his mind enters chess zen mode.

Opening Repertoire

The Reti Opening, of course, is his signature move. He toys with the lines of the Kingside Fianchetto, showing a fondness for subtle positional squeezes. He also dabbles expertly in the Englund Gambit and Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation, holding superior win rates in these offbeat snares that make opponents second guess their moves. For Atul, chess is as much about psychology as it is about checkmate.

Notable Battles

Atul has a storied history of dueling opponents nearly as hungry as he is. For example, he boasts a stellar record against uwaisparekh with a perfect 100% win rate—probably because he once outwitted them with a sneaky baby knight fork that would make even a chess engine blink. However, against some rook-and-pawn veterans like mmdcmelo and rassia0743, he has yet to score a victory, showing even the mightiest have their kryptonite.

Memorable Recent Game

Just recently, on June 6, 2025, Atul showcased his poise in a rapid game against UwaisParekh. The game him gracefully turning the tables started with the classic moves 1. Nf3 and 2. e4, quickly transmuting into a sharp piece battle that ended with the resignation of his opponent. This win is not only a testament to his strategic depth but also to his tactical flair!

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Bc4 d6 4. Ng5 e6 5. Nf3 h6 6. O-O e5 7. Re1 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Qf6 10. Qb3 b6 11. Bd5 c6 12. Bc4 Ne7 13. Re3 a6 14. Rf3 b5 15. Rxf6 bxc4 16. Qb7 Bxf6 17. Qxa8
  

Clearly, Atul's opponents would do well to stay on their toes—because he’s not just playing chess, he is playing chess with style!

Statistics At a Glance

• Peak Rating (Rapid): 1425 (April 2020)
• Total Rapid Games Played: Over 11,842
• Win Rate (Rapid): Close to 50%
• Preferred Time Control: Rapid
• Longest Winning Streak: 15 games
• Average Game Length: 54 moves when winning, 42 moves when losing

Fun Fact

Atul's early resignation rate is about 13.6%. Don’t read too much into it—he’s just that confident. Or, you know, sometimes it’s just a bad day on the chessboard!