Harold van Dijk FM

Harold van Dijk - The FIDE Master Extraordinaire

Meet Harold van Dijk, better known in the chess realms as DjengisVan. A player who has earned the prestigious title of FIDE Master, Harold has navigated the 64 squares with a mixture of tactical prowess, resilience, and occasionally, a touch of humor.

With a peak Rapid rating soaring to an impressive 2379 in late 2020 and a Blitz high rating of 2292 back in 2016, Harold balances a fierce competitive spirit with a love for the game’s rapid and lightning-fast formats. Their Bullet rating peaked respectably at 2138, proving that speed chess is no stranger to their skillset.

Harold’s playing style is both patient and opportunistic. An endgame enthusiast, they find themselves in endgames over 70% of the time! Their average winning game lasts around 67 moves, proving they aren’t just about quick attacks, but long, strategic battles that test nerves and wits. Their ability to stage comebacks is no joke either, with a stellar 86.9% comeback rate after setbacks.

Win or lose, Harold never gives up early, resigning prematurely less than 2% of the time. This tenacity is part of what makes their games exciting for spectators and frustrating for opponents! And speaking of opponents, Harold boasts a perfect 100% win record against a handful of players - a humiliation to be avoided if you ever meet them over the board.

Fun Facts and Quirks

• Harold’s best time to play? 4:00 AM — apparently, the crack of dawn is when chess magic happens.
• Longest winning streak? A cool 12 games, proving their dominance can be quite intimidating.
• More wins than losses in Blitz: 349 wins to 217 losses, with a respectable draw count sprinkled in.
• Harold doesn’t shy away from a tactical melee; their games often feature sharp openings and brave sacrifices.

Recent Triumph

In their latest dazzling victory, Harold delivered a swift and precise checkmate using the Pirc Defense. After a feisty battle, the final blow was the queen’s elegant c7 strike, sealing the game in just 17 moves. Bravo!

Watch the game here

Whether in Bullet, Blitz, Rapid, or Daily games, Harold van Dijk continues to make waves and inspire players with their tactical insight, fighting spirit, and charming personality. Keep an eye on DjengisVan; this FIDE Master still has many surprises up their sleeve!