Ekaterini Pavlidou - Woman International Master (a.k.a. diamonds13)
Ekaterini Pavlidou, known online and over-the-board as diamonds13, is a formidable Woman International Master (WIM) who strikes fear into the hearts of her opponents — and occasionally herself, as every player faces those heartbreakingly sneaky blunders. With a peak blitz rating soaring above 2500 in 2025, she is no stranger to rapid-fire battles where not only brains but blisters matter!
Since 2019, Ekaterini has been showcasing a fearless and competitive style, often favoring sharp openings like the Nimzo-Indian Samisch Variation and the Sicilian Defense in her blitz repertoire. Her tactical awareness is impressive: she boasts a comeback rate over 90% — meaning if the game heats up or she loses a piece, don’t count her out; she’s often the phoenix rising from the ashes on the 64 squares.
Ekaterini’s playing schedule reveals a curious pattern — mornings and early evenings are her power zones, with a win rate peak around 6-7 AM and 7 PM. It seems while many people hit snooze, diamonds13 wakes up ready to castle and conquer. She averages around 73 moves per win, which means she’s not rushing toward victory but carefully knitting a winning tapestry one calculated move at a time.
Her endgames are her playground — over 82% of her games see her diving deep into those strategic finales, where many matches are won or lost. But don’t be fooled; she also has a soft spot for sharp blitz openings and games that end on time victories or, sometimes, dramatic resignations. If you ever play her, be ready: she combines deep understanding with lightning-fast instincts, and a dash of psychological warfare — her tilt factor at 19 is a reminder that even titans occasionally have off days.
Beyond numbers, Ekaterini’s record against a wide array of opponents shows both resilience and flexibility. She has memorable rivalries and a positive score against many, yet humble enough to learn from losses (because losing is just a sneaky way to win next time). Her nickname on the battlefield is diamonds13 — and like a diamond, her brilliance only grows under pressure.
Fun Fact:
In a recent blitz clash in 2025, Ekaterini won by outlasting her opponent on the clock after squeezing out every last drop of advantage — proving that sometimes, it’s not just about the moves, but managing the ticking enemy as well!