Profile
FM Josiah Stearman, often seen online under the handle Blindovsky, is a fierce bullet specialist who mixes tactical fireworks with surprisingly patient endgames. He rose through the online ranks in 2019-2020 and hit a peak Bullet rating of 2404 in May 2020 and a peak Blitz of 2376 the same month.
2404 (2020-05-13) 2376 (2020-05-13)- Title: FIDE Master (FM)
- Preferred time control: Bullet - fast, sharp and decisive
- Peak Bullet rating: 2404 (May 2020)
Playing Style
Josiah balances lightning tactics with deep endgame play. He checks often with the queen, loves long decisive games, and can grind out wins even after material setbacks. Opponents who shrug off an early pawn loss beware - his comeback rate is stout.
- Endgame frequency: high - 77.6% of games reach endgame ideas
- Common checking piece: Queen
- Comeback rate: 83% - fights until the last move
- Best time of day to play: around 22:00 according to his trends
Notable Openings
Josiah is adventurous as White and pragmatic as Black. He often steers games into offbeat territory to maximize practical chances.
- Favorite White weapon: Amar Gambit - very successful in Bullet play
- Reliable Black replies: Australian Defense and French Defense - both show strong win rates
- Also plays: Sicilian Defense: Closed and occasional Modern setups
Career Highlights
Between 2019 and 2020 Josiah put together several streaks and peak performances that mark him as a dangerous rapid-fire competitor.
- Longest winning streak: 10 games
- Strong 2019-2020 run culminating in dual peaks in May 2020
- Very high win rate when outrating his opponents - and impressive consistency when underdog
Notable Opponents
Josiah has faced a handful of regulars online. These rivalries helped shape his opening repertoire and practical technique.
- Most-played opponent: chessscrew - 6 games (3-3)
- Frequent rivals: Godswill Ogodogu (5 games), dumbdonkey22, seveneightnine
- Solid records vs several opponents and the ability to flip results with smart opening choices
Sample Game
A short illustrative opening that shows the kind of dynamic play Josiah likes. (PGN viewer placeholder)
Fun Facts
Josiah mixes seriousness with a wink. He will play ultra sharp gambits in Bullet, then methodically convert in the endgame when the clock is still ticking.
- Average moves per decisive game: about 69 - not your typical five-move blitzfest
- High tolerance for messy positions - low early resignation rate
- Favorite tactic: create complications and let the clock do the rest
Placeholders and Further Exploration
Use the links and charts above to dig deeper. Suggested next steps:
- View rating trend:
- Inspect his peak stats: 2404 (2020-05-13) and 2376 (2020-05-13)
- Openings glossary: Amar Gambit, Australian Defense, French Defense