Nico Zwirs IM

Nico Zwirs (DeGrootteZ) - International Master of Chess

Meet Nico Zwirs, an International Master recognized by FIDE, whose chess skills have been sharpening like a finely honed rook on the attack. Known online as DeGrootteZ, Nico has been making a lasting impact on the chessboard with a style that combines tactical brilliance and a knack for comebacks - boasting a comeback rate of over 90%, showing that giving up is never an option.

Over the years, Nico’s blitz rating escalated from a modest 1374 in 2014 to an astonishing peak of 2961 by 2025, proving that practice makes perfect—plus a sprinkle of wizardry. Flick the clock into bullet mode, and you'll find ratings consistently around the 2500+ mark, highlighting incredible speed and sharp reflexes. If chess were a sprint, Nico would definitely be in gold-medal form.

This tenacious player is known for a staggering longest winning streak of 18 games and maintains a modest current streak — even champions have their coffee breaks. With nearly 3,100 wins in blitz alone, Nico doesn’t just play games; they collect victories like trophies.

White or black, Nico’s strategies shine with a White win rate of 53.21% and Black win rate of 46.99%. Their endgame prowess is evident, participating in endgames in over 82% of games — perhaps the reason opponents often lament the final checkmate. The average moves per game hover around 79 to 81, indicating that Nico prefers a thoughtful battle rather than quick skirmishes (except maybe in bullet!).

Off the board, Nico’s psychological play is fascinating: a tilt factor of 11 suggests that even when the going gets tough, the going gets interesting. Rated games bring a slight dip compared to casual, hinting that even super-strong players get butterflies before the match.

Opponents beware: the history books show varied fortunes with many battling against this relentless competitor multiple times — some with perfect or near-perfect win records over Nico, others who have tasted the bitter end all too often.

Whether it's blitz, bullet, rapid, or a rare daily game, Nico Zwirs plays with passion and an uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. With this career, any chess enthusiast might suspect Nico’s secret weapon is a combined love for complicated positions, speed, and maybe a little wizard’s hat tucked under the seat.

In short: Nico Zwirs is not just a chess player - he’s a chess phenomenon, proving that even in a world ruled by pawns and kings, perseverance and style reign supreme.