Linxi Zhu (duone): The Bullet Marathoner
Linxi Zhu, known online as duone, is a FIDE Master who turned online chess into a high speed art form. While the title says FM, the playbook screams bullet specialist: Zhu has played thousands of games at hyper fast time controls, peaking at a stunning 2918 (2026-08-21) in bullet while also crossing 2600 in blitz and 2000 in rapid.
From 600 to 2900: A Rapid Ascent
Zhu's online journey started in late 2020 with bullet ratings near 629 and rapid ratings under 1000. Within a few years, the improvement curve became vertical. By 2026, bullet reached 2918 (2026-08-21), blitz hit 2660 (2025-03-04), and rapid climbed to 2046 (2025-09-08). The rating history tells a story of obsessive practice and fearless experimentation.
Openings: Known Theory, Unhinged Energy
Zhu's repertoire blends classical foundations with wild side lines. The Caro-Kann Defense and Sicilian Defense appear constantly, but so do the Amar Gambit and the Colle System's Rhamphorhynchus Variation. This willingness to play anything keeps opponents guessing and explains a white win rate above 54%.
Rivalries and Relentless Volume
Nobody plays like duone. In a single month, Zhu has logged over 1,100 bullet games. The most frequent dance partner is Elliott Goodrich, with 767 meetings, followed by judenyc and Digitaldivide. These marathon rivalries forged a 46 game winning streak and a comeback rate near 78%.
Fighting Spirit and Fun Facts
- Longest winning streak: 46 games
- Longest losing streak: 22 games, followed by a full recovery
- Early resignation rate: just 5.04%
- Best time of day to play: 07:00
- Most common checking piece: the Queen
Sample opening from the duone laboratory: