Kostya Kavutskiy, Jesse Kraai and David Pruess IM

Kostya Kavutskiy — International Master & Streamer

Kostya Kavutskiy wears the hat of an International Master who also happens to enjoy a good on‑camera blunder. A rapid‑time specialist by taste and habit, Kostya blends patient endgame play with sudden tactical snaps — the kind that make viewers gasp and then subscribe. His matches often finish long and thoughtful: think marathon endgames, not bullet brawls.

• Title: International Master (FIDE)
• Streaming: active — entertaining live commentary, occasional post‑game analysis
• Preferred time control: Rapid — where ideas get time to breathe
• Style: endgame‑oriented, long games (avg decisive game length is high), likes surprising opening choices
• Notable habits: strong against lower‑rated opponents, capable of long winning streaks (fans remember a memorable 10‑game run)

Openings that show up in Kostya’s toolbox range from quirky gambits to solid mainline systems — the Bird Opening, Blackburne Shilling Gambit, and a healthy dose of Sicilian ideas. He’s as likely to experiment as he is to steer the game toward an endgame he understands deeply.

• Representative openings: Bird Opening, Blackburne Shilling Gambit, Sicilian Defense: Najdorf
• Frequent opponents: Peter Minear and others from the online circuit

Visualize a Rapid rating trace or replay one of the long tactical duels below — perfect content for stream highlights and YouTube breakdowns.

Quick sample game (Bird spirit):

Jesse Kraai — International Master & Streamer

Jesse Kraai is an International Master who doubles as a thoughtful streamer and occasional raconteur. On stream he alternates between deep opening theory and the type of banter that keeps viewers watching until the endgame. Rapid games are his comfort zone — long enough to outplay opponents, compact enough for a tidy stream session.

• Title: International Master (FIDE)
• Streaming: instructive and humorous — often explains the “why” behind moves
• Preferred time control: Rapid
• Playing style: strategic with tactical flashes; likes to steer opponents into unfamiliar opening lines

Expect to hear him praise offbeat openings and then punish their weaknesses. If you enjoy hearing a line dissected move‑by‑move, tune into his Rapid streams.

• Opening preferences often discussed on stream: Sicilian Defense, Bird Opening
• Stream highlights: opening deep dives, annotated endgame play, and the occasional meme game

Audience tip: Jesse’s streams are SEO‑friendly for “International Master chess lessons” and “Rapid game analysis” — perfect for players searching for practical improvement.

David Pruess — International Master & Streamer

David Pruess combines the calm of an IM with the energy of a streamer who knows how to keep a chat entertained. He favors Rapid play where he can demonstrate technique without turning the clock into the villain. David’s content balances serious instruction with a jokey on‑camera presence — great for learners and casual viewers alike.

• Title: International Master (FIDE)
• Streaming: educational, approachable, often shows post‑game analysis
• Preferred time control: Rapid
• Strengths: clear explanations, practical endgame technique, relatable streaming personality

For a quick taste of David’s approach to speed chess, viewers often search for his Blitz highlights and tactical explainers. He’s the kind of IM who turns a tricky position into a teaching moment — then laughs about his own blunders.