Carlos Alarcia FM

Carlos Alarcia - FIDE Master Extraordinaire

Meet Carlos Alarcia, also known in the chess world as chess_mad35. A FIDE Master by title and a master of blitz and bullet, Carlos is a whirlwind on the board who thrives when the clock is ticking fast.

Rated as high as 2670 in blitz and a frightening 2725 in bullet chess by mid-2025, Carlos's rapid-fire tactics have left countless opponents dizzy and defeated. Their playing style? Long, winding battles averaging over 77 moves for a win — this is not a sprinter, but a strategic marathoner with a penchant for exhausting their rivals until resignation.

Speaking of resignation, Carlos's opponents seem to have a love-hate relationship with the phrase—many games end with opponents giving up rather than witnessing another cunning endgame masterpiece. With an 88% comeback rate after setbacks, giving up early is simply not in Carlos’s vocabulary.

Carlo’s opening repertoire keeps adversaries guessing: the inscrutable “Top Secret” defense dominates their play, but when they reveal their hand, it’s often with sharp favorites like the Caro-Kann and the aggressive Pelikan and Sveshnikov Sicilian variations. If you're brave enough to face Carlos, prepare for an opening storm that can quickly transform into a tactical tempest.

But it’s not all serious business. Carlos is equally comfortable rolling with the punches—though their longest losing streak hit 12, their current winning streak stands proudly at 1, proving every setback is just fuel for a fierce comeback.

When does Carlos perform best? Apparently in the mysterious hours around 2 AM, a time when lesser mortals are asleep or dreaming, but Carlos is calculating the next killer move. The tilt factor of 12 suggests occasional frustration (hey, nobody’s perfect), but the bullet games showcase a calm keen mind and a bulletproof nerve under pressure.

Off the board, Carlos’s games can be followed live, including bold victories where opponents mysteriously run out of time. Among many memorable wins is a brutal encounter where Carlos masterfully wrestled control in the Caro-Kann Defense Main Line, culminating in a last-move victory on time — a classic!

In short:

• Title: FIDE Master
• Peak Ratings: Blitz 2670, Bullet 2725, Rapid 2003
• Favorite Openings: Top Secret, Caro-Kann, Sicilian Defense (Pelikan & Sveshnikov)
• Playing Style: Endgame strategist with a talent for comebacks
• Games Played: Thousands of fierce blitz and bullet battles
• Best Time to Play: 2 AM for peak performance

If you ever cross paths with Carlos at the board, be ready: they play fast, they play clever, and they probably know a trick or two you don’t—especially when the clock’s running out!