Bảo Vũ — The Relentless Chess Adventurer
Meet Bảo Vũ, also known by the chess battlefield moniker congmi12. A rapidly evolving player, Bảo’s journey in the chess world has been a wild ride full of surprises, epic comebacks, and occasional humble defeats.
From humble beginnings with a rapid rating oscillating somewhere between “I think I know the rules” and “Wait, what does that move do again?” (~200s in early 2023), Bảo has steadily transformed into a formidable opponent crossing the 650+ rating mark in rapid games by 2025. Along the way, there have been battles of epic proportions with over 600+ games in rapid alone — where wins and losses dance in nearly equal fashion, proving that perseverance truly is the name of the game.
Bullet and blitz formats have been Bảo’s playground for tactics and speed. With a bullet peak rating soaring to 806 in 2024 and an aggressive 742+ in recent months, Bảo shows lightning-fast reflexes and a sharp eye for winning combinations. Blitz ratings tell a story of spirited clashes—sometimes a flurry of wins, other times tough losses—but through it all, the passion for the game shines. Also, Bảo likes to shake up the classic openings book: a well-honed Scandinavian Defense specialist and a true tactician when wielding the King's Pawn Opening.
When it comes to style, Bảo is a blend of patience and opportunism. With almost half of the games going deep into the endgame, averaging 50+ moves per win or loss, it’s clear that giving up early is not an option—unless the opponent sees a very convincing checkmate set-up! Fun fact: Bảo’s longest winning streak is an impressive 8 games, while patience is tested during a tough 9-game losing streak once upon a time. The current streak? A humble zero, but that’s just the calm before the next storm.
Psychology is part of this player's mood swings—"tilt factor" hovers around 9%, meaning sometimes the mind screams louder than the pieces can play. However, mornings (especially around 7 AM) seem to be the prime time for brilliance. Win rates leap to nearly 64% during these early hours. So, if you want a fair shot against Bảo, maybe don’t challenge them before their first coffee.
Opening Repertoire Highlights:
- Rapid: Queens Pawn Opening, especially the Chigorin Variation with a striking ~78% win rate, and the reversed Mieses Opening keep opponents guessing.
- Bullet: Scandinavian Defense is a crowd favorite, yielding an amazing 85%+ win record, proving Bảo feels at home in aggressive, tactical battles.
- Blitz: Although battles are a bit more rollercoaster here, the classic King’s Pawn Opening and even a perfect 100% win with Petrovs Defense Classical Variation show moments of dazzling skill.
Recent Memorable Game:
On May 16, 2025, playing white as congmi12, Bảo delivered a beautiful checkmate finishing a Four Knights Game - Scotch variation with Qc7# in just 35 moves. It was chess artistry wrapped in nerve and strategy — an instant classic that left spectators in awe. Check out the game here.
Notable Quirks:
- White pieces bring a slight edge: winning about 54% of games, a subtle but real home-field advantage.
- Bảo’s got a fierce comeback instinct with a 68% success rate clawing back from losing positions — talk about never say die!
- While resignation is often a sign of grace, this player tends to fight on, showing fewer early surrenders compared to many peers.
So, whether you meet congmi12 online or just hear tales of Bảo’s strategic adventures, brace yourself for a challenging game full of heart, surprises, and moments that prove chess is not just a game, but a wild journey across sixty-four squares.
