Ali Mortazavi (aka BigAl)
International Master – The Mastermind of the Board
Ali Mortazavi, better known in the chess universe as BigAl, is an International Master recognized by FIDE. With a keen tactical awareness and a penchant for comebacks (an impressive 85.48% comeback rate after setbacks), BigAl is no stranger to the intense mental rollercoaster that is competitive chess.
His journey began humbly, with a Blitz rating of 1380 back in 2012. Fast forward to peak performances in 2018 and beyond, and Ali has soared to a blazing Blitz rating peak of 2660 in November 2018! In Bullet play, he’s equally fierce, achieving a remarkable peak rating of 2625 in September 2021, while his Rapid rating peaked at a solid 2398 in April 2022.
BigAl's style? Patience mixed with aggression. With an average of over 72 moves per win, he enjoys long strategic battles, savoring the sweet taste of well-fought victories. His games often boast an 80% frequency of endgames — a testament to his skill navigating those tense, nerve-wracking final moments. And when the going gets tough, BigAl proves resilient, recovering from losing material 45% of the time to still snag a win.
Despite chess being a serious game, BigAl brings a bit of fun to the battlefield. Known for occasionally resigning early (just 1.25% of the time — so don’t worry, he’s mostly a fighter!), he also has a quirky tilt factor of 11, showing he's human and passionate. His best time to unleash moves? The mysterious hour of 2 AM — apparently, BigAl does his best scheming while the rest of the world sleeps.
Career Highlights & Stats:
- Win-Loss-Draw Record (Blitz): 2633 wins, 2719 losses, 281 draws
- Longest Winning Streak: 22 games
- Favorite Opening: Top Secret — but rumor has it, he’s fond of the Reti and King’s Indian Attack as well.
- Playing Strength: White pieces win rate ~48.8%, Black ~44.9%
- Victory Style: Prefers opponents resigning (1681 wins by resignation), but also racks up wins by checkmate and timeouts.
Notable Recent Game:
In a recent Blitz clash (March 1, 2025), BigAl dazzled with the Reti Opening and King’s Indian Attack against Ghazghkull-Thraka, securing victory by resignation after a tense 52-move duel. His precision and patience forced his opponent's surrender, reinforcing BigAl’s reputation for outlasting and outthinking foes.
Behind the Scenes
Whether facing a grandmaster or that unpredictable internet blitz legend, BigAl's psychological game is sharp. He’s notorious for making opponents sweat, boasting a near-perfect 90% win rate against certain foes, and a flawless 100% against others who dared to challenge him.
In the world of chess, Ali "BigAl" Mortazavi is a tactician with a knack for both grinding out wins and thrilling comebacks. His enemies better watch out – at any hour, he could be plotting his next victory... preferably at 2 AM, when the chess magic truly happens.