Vlad-Victor Barnaure (fMCMT)
Meet the Blitz Marauder
Vlad-Victor Barnaure, known on the server as fMCMT, is an International Master with a simple philosophy: the clock is always ticking, so move fast and think faster. Since 2017 he has played more than 31,000 rated online games, mostly in Blitz, and pushed his Blitz rating all the way to 2819 (2026-07-11). The rating chart below shows a steady climb punctuated by some spectacular spikes.
Signature Style and Grit
Barnaure is not content with quick handshakes. His endgame frequency sits above 85 percent, and his wins last about 75 moves on average, so opponents should pack snacks. He delivers the first check over 56 percent of the time and wins more often when he does, a firm believer in checking first and asking questions later. Even after losing a piece, he still wins 42.15 percent of the time, and his comeback rate of 85.5 percent means no lead ever feels safe against him. His longest winning streak is 13 games, and his longest losing streak is also 13, which tells you he treats every defeat as a warmup for the next match.
Repertoire and Openings
His repertoire mixes rock solid setups with hidden sharp edges. As White, he repeatedly plays the London System, the English Opening, and the King's Indian Defense Larsen Variation. As Black, he gravitates to the Caro-Kann Defense, the Modern Defense, and the Closed Sicilian Defense. The Berlin Defense also appears often, confirming his willingness to defend patiently and outplay opponents in the endgame. His best major line is the Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation, where he wins over 52 percent of the time against tough opposition.
Rivalries and the Grind
Barnaure thrives on familiarity. His most frequent dance partner is Mihael Ankerst, with 83 Blitz meetings and a narrow edge for the International Master. Not every rivalry goes his way, Nebojsa Djordjevic has gotten the better of their series, proving even strong players can have a nemesis. He has also logged dozens of battles against Daniel Taboas Rodriguez, Stein Aarland, and Goran Galiot, making his Blitz queue feel like a neighborhood where everyone knows his name.
Milestones and Mayhem
- Peak Blitz rating of 2819 (2026-07-11) came in July 2026 after years of grinding.
- Nearly 14,000 Blitz wins and only 124 checkmate losses, so opponents rarely get to finish him off cleanly.
- He has delivered 77,759 checks to rivals while receiving about 59,337, a clear sign that he seizes the initiative early and often.
- White win rate of 47.09 percent versus 41.26 percent with Black, so he is always happy to grab the White pieces.
- The clock is his kryptonite: 423 timeout losses show he occasionally outplays himself against the timer.
- He is most dangerous around 16:00 and on Wednesdays, when his win rate peaks, so choose your rematch time wisely.