Ruslan Kashtanov IM

Ruslan Kashtanov: The International Master With a Blitz in His Step

Meet Ruslan Kashtanov, an International Master who has been slicing through blitz games with the precision of a samurai and the tenacity of a chess-hungry wolf. Known online as Chesstrainer1, Ruslan has demonstrated that speed and strategy can indeed coexist beautifully on the 64 squares.

A Rapid Rise Through the Ranks

Since 2015, Ruslan’s blitz rating has soared spectacularly, peaking at an impressive 2532 in April 2025—a rating that could make even some grandmasters sweat under the clock pressure. Not one to be pigeonholed, he also rocks a respectable peak rapid rating over 2300 and has a bullet high of 2518, showing his knightly agility across all fast formats.

The Opening Enigma

Ruslan’s opening repertoire remains as mysterious as a secret agent’s dossier—familiarly dubbed Top Secret—with almost 1700 blitz games in this style alone, where he nearly breaks even with a 49.7% win rate. His hidden gem? A flawless instance of the English Opening Reversed Sicilian Taimanov Variation, winning the lone recorded game on the board. Chess spies would be intrigued!

Stats That Tell a Story

• Overall Record (Blitz): 835 wins, 718 losses, and 126 draws — a warrior who fights till the clocks run out.
• Longest Winning Streak: 16 games – talk about hitting your stride!
• Comeback Rate: A staggering 85.58% — Ruslan doesn't just shrug off losses, he practically rewrites the script.
• Early Resignation Rate: A modest 0.41% — showing he's not one to give up without a fight.

Psychology on the Board

Known to keep his cool with a tilt factor of just 9, Ruslan’s mental game is as robust as his opening prep. His best play surfaces around midnight (00:00), perfect for nocturnal strategists who think the stars help them see three moves ahead.

Recent Triumphs and Trials

In a recent thrilling encounter, Ruslan, playing White as Chesstrainer1, delivered a beautifully executed checkmate using the English Opening Reversed Sicilian Taimanov Variation—proof of his sharp tactics and endurance even deep into the 70th move. Not all battles end victorious though; his latest losses remind even the best that chess is a game of endless learning and humility.

A Style That’s All His Own

Ruslan’s style is a blend of patience and aggression: he enjoys lengthy endgames (over 82% frequency) and can average 71 moves in winning games. His knack for turning things around after losing a piece (47.61% win rate) shows him as the ultimate chess comeback kid.

Whether you meet him online or in tournament halls, Ruslan Kashtanov is a player who combines clever tactics, relentless willpower, and just a sprinkle of mystery. In his games, every pawn push or knight hop tells a story of someone who truly loves the game—and maybe, just maybe, outfoxing their opponents with a grin.

Stay tuned for more masterful moves and unexpected twists from this International Master who makes blitz chess look like art, and a bit like wizardry.