Vlad Abdulin

Vlad Abdulin (bufferx) - Chess Enthusiast and Rising Rapid Prodigy

Meet Vlad Abdulin, known online as bufferx, a rapid chess player whose journey has been a rollercoaster of tactical brilliance, nail-biting losses, and the occasional brilliant escape move. Starting with a modest rapid rating of 633 in May 2021, Vlad has relentlessly improved, peaking impressively at 1172 in June 2024. A dedicated tactician, Vlad loves both the thrill of the middle game and the subtle art of endgame strategy, with over half of his games reaching the latter stages.

Vlad’s style might best be described as cautiously ambitious with a dash of surprise — his average winning games last nearly 50 moves, proving he’s in for the long haul, but when he loses, it tends to be drawn-out dramas averaging nearly 59 moves. His comeback rate is spectacular at 67%, showing he never surrenders easily, even when losing material. However, if things ever go sideways, his tilt factor (a modest 6) suggests he occasionally lets frustration show — but hey, who doesn’t when faced with a sneaky Scandinavian Defense!

When Vlad opens the chessboard, the King's Pawn Opening is his weapon of choice, boasting a respectable win rate of 55.7%. He’s also a fan of the Scandinavian Defense, with an even more impressive 60% win rate in that opening, possibly indicating his love for a good strategic fight. His love-hate relationship with the Van ’t Kruijs Opening (41.7% wins) adds a bit of spice to his opening repertoire, showing he’s not afraid to experiment — even if sometimes it leads to dramatic losses.

His most recent games paint a vivid picture of his dedication and resilience: from executing sharp tactical plays to winning by resignation, to suffering hard-fought defeats. One highlight was a win against Mustafacooks in early 2025 where Vlad’s patience and precision finally forced the opponent to throw in the towel — a classic bufferx moment. Vlad’s current streaks are a testament to his persistence, with his longest winning streak reaching eight games and his longest losing streak at six — the classic chess warrior’s tale.

A morning player, Vlad hits his best form around 1 AM — chess insomnia or genius at work? His Sunday and Wednesday stats reveal that he thrives midweek and on weekends, proving chess can be both a weekend pastime and a weekday obsession. Rated opponents above him often prove challenging (only a 22.7% win rate), but Vlad dominates when playing against lower-rated players with an outstanding 75.8% win rate.

Off the board, Vlad’s sense of humor matches his style on it — strategic, witty, and occasionally unpredictable. Whether you encounter him in a brutal Scandinavian skirmish or a quiet London System duel, expect a player who learns quickly, fights hard, and never forgets to enjoy the game.

Follow Vlad Abdulin’s journey as he continues to refine his rapid chess skills — watch this space, and maybe take heed: bufferx might just surprise you next!

"In chess, as in life, sometimes you have to sacrifice a pawn to win the game — Vlad takes that literally."