Pankaj Kandwal

Pankaj Kandwal (aka Dr-pank)

Meet Pankaj Kandwal, a chess enthusiast whose journey on the 64 squares feels a bit like riding a roller coaster blindfolded—thrilling, unpredictable, and sometimes baffling to spectators! Known online as Dr-pank, Pankaj’s rating soared through 2025 to reach a peak Daily rating of 1031, proving that persistence and passion trump initial setbacks.

Starting off a little rough with a humble rating of 341 in January 2025, Pankaj quickly caught fire, doubling and then almost tripling the points by May. His rapid improvement culminated in a flawless winning streak of 7 consecutive games—and a current winning streak of 3 to keep opponents on their toes.

In the realm of openings, Dr-pank likes to mix classical elegance with tactical surprises. The Ruy Lopez Morphy Defense and the Bishops Opening have been his golden tickets, boasting a sterling 100% win rate in Daily games. Not shy of flashy sacrifices, Pankaj once dazzled his opponent with a stunning bishop sacrifice followed by a knight fork that led to a swift resignation. It’s chess meets showtime!

His playing style blends endurance with tactical sharpness — with an average winning game lasting just over 52 moves, and losses that drag on a bit longer, indicating a tenacious battle until the end. Despite an early resignation rate of 1.64%, Dr-pank rarely throws in the towel without giving opponents a tough fight.

Pankaj’s psychological resilience shines through with a remarkable 64.58% comeback rate, bouncing back from losing pieces and turning tides like a true gladiator of the game. Although the “tilt factor” of 8 suggests he occasionally vents frustration, his best magic happens early mornings at 4 AM — when sleepy opponents might as well surrender in their dreams.

If you ever ping him for a game, beware: he’s undefeated against several rivals including wahrani1978 and danielkervel, with a 100% win rate over many. But don’t just take his word for it—watch his latest dazzling victory where Dr-pank, as White, unleashed a sneaky bishop check followed by knight maneuvers, forcing his opponent to resign amid gasps and admiration. (See the masterpiece here)

Beyond numbers, Pankaj Kandwal is a spirited player who combines growth, grit, and a hint of humor in every match. And though blitz might not be his fortress yet (0 wins in 2 games), the Daily and Rapid arenas bear witness to his rising star.