Shaashwath Sivakumar - The FIDE Master You Didn't See Coming
Known in the chess world as Dontmesswithme_2, Shaashwath Sivakumar is a formidable chess force armed with the esteemed title of FIDE Master. If chess rating points were coins, Shaashwath would be swimming in a treasure chest by now, with a peak blitz rating soaring to an impressive 2726 as of December 2023 – enough to make even Magnus Carlsen give a respectful nod.
Born for the 64 squares, Shaashwath’s playing style is a curious blend of patience and tenacity with a love for crafty endgames—a whopping 67% frequency means if you let them reach the final chapter, the suspense is guaranteed. Their average moves per win clock around 65, so don’t expect any lightning strikes; this is a slow-burning epic, not a sprint.
Known for their remarkable comeback rate of 78%, Shaashwath can bounce back from tough spots like a rubber ball in a World Cup final. If they lose a piece, it’s far from game over; their win rate after losing material is still a crafty 43.5%.
Early resignations? Rare. Shaashwath only tosses in the towel in less than 9% of games, proving their grit and unyielding spirit. However, with a tilt factor at 55, even this grandmaster-level tactician isn’t immune to the occasional "emoji rage" moment after a shock loss—who isn’t, really?
When it comes to openings, you might classify Shaashwath as a master of mystery with their secretive 'Top Secret' openings. With tens of thousands of games under this enigmatic umbrella, they keep their opponents guessing, winning nearly half (45.7%) of those battles.
Shaashwath’s most-played opponent is ironically their own older alias, shaaksiv, showing some serious self-challenges in their chess journey (over 1300 games!). Other frequent rivals include computer opponents and player king_kunal, reminding us that even grandmasters must occasionally wrestle with the silicon beast.
The recent games hint at Shaashwath's adaptability: from winning on time with creative opening choices like the unconventional 1.a4, to resigning only when truly outmatched—demonstrating humility and sportsmanship beneath that competitive edge.
Fun Facts:
- Shaashwath’s best time of day to play is apparently 10:00 AM, so set your alarms if you want to catch their prime moves.
- Playing on Blitz and Bullet formats has clearly been their bread and butter, with over 22,000 blitz games and nearly 6,000 bullet engagements logged!
- They once held a 65-game winning streak. No, your eyes are not deceiving you—sixty-five straight wins!
Whether slicing through defenses on blitz or grinding out wins in daily chess, Shaashwath Sivakumar remains a shining example of dedication, skill, and sheer chess savvy. Just don’t try to mess with them… or else.