Paulo Bersamina IM

Paulo Bersamina aka "fastestmindalive"

International Master – FIDE Title Holder

Once upon a chessboard, in the kingdom of sixty-four squares, Paulo Bersamina emerged as a cunning tactician, earning the respected title of International Master from FIDE. With a username like fastestmindalive, you'd expect lightning-fast moves, and that reputation is well-deserved.

Paulo’s journey started humbly with modest rapid ratings just over 1300 back in 2013, but like a well-placed pawn storm, he steadily advanced. By 2025, his rapid rating soared to a peak of 2463, while his blitz and bullet games have seen him hit astonishing highs near 2920 and 2839 respectively — levels where few dare to tread.

Known for an aggressive, yet calculated style, Paulo’s most-used opening is shrouded in mystery, dubbed playfully as "Top Secret". But fear not, he also shows a fondness for the King's Indian Defense Makogonov Variation and the Magnus Sicilian in blitz, sneaking up on opponents with a 100% win rate in those rare encounters.

Playing Style & Records

• White pieces bring Paulo a respectable 57.44% win rate, Black not far behind at 53.86%.
• Endgames are Paulo’s playground, featuring in over 82% of his games — a testament to his endurance and strategic patience.
• The comeback king: if he loses a piece, he turns despair into hope with a winning rate of over 54% afterward.
• On a hot streak? Paulo can rattle off 19 wins in a row, currently riding a fresh 10-win streak. Opponents beware!

Mind Over Matter

Despite a tilt factor of 18 (yes, even maestros get flustered), Paulo’s psychological resilience shines through as he often wins at his best times — notably around 11 AM when his chess brain is in full throttle. He averages an awe-inspiring 82 moves per win, showing that his victories are often rugged battles, not just quick knockouts.

Notable Recent Triumph

In May 2025, Paulo played a breathtaking game against GM DarwinLaylo, employing the King's Indian Defense Makogonov Variation like a grandmaster magician. The game ended with Paulo's opponent bowing in resignation after a relentless strategic assault. The match lasted 74 moves of intense chess drama — a true saga on 64 squares!
View the epic battle

Fun Facts

• Paulo’s blitz peak is almost as high as the speed of light at 2920. The nickname "fastestmindalive" might actually be a serious scientific measurement.
• Despite playing some anonymous "Top Secret" openings, Paulo keeps his opponents guessing until it’s too late — and then checkmate ensues.
• He has a surprisingly amusing record of winning more than half the games on Sundays and at 11 AM, making weekends the prime time to witness his magic (or mischief).

In short, Paulo Bersamina is not just a chess player; he is a relentless strategist, a fierce competitor, and occasionally, a superhuman blur on the chessboard that leaves his opponents staring at checkmate squares with disbelief.