dominik exner

Dominik Exner - The Relentless Rapid Rookie

Meet Dominik Exner, also known by his online moniker FNWExner, a chess aficionado whose journey is as rollercoaster as his rating graph. While not yet a grandmaster, Dominik holds a spirited presence in the digital chess realm, particularly dazzling in rapid games with a peak rating of 1080 back in March 2023.

Despite battling swings that would make even the steadiest of players dizzy, Dominik’s signature style is a blend of cautious calculation and occasional tactical fireworks. With an average game length of around 60 moves for wins and 54 for losses, he clearly enjoys a drawn-out battle, probably savoring every subtle nuance before striking—or resigning earlier than some would expect, with an early resignation rate hovering near 9%.

Keys to his chess kingdom include a fair amount of endgames, appearing in over 50% of his games, and a propensity to hold his own under pressure, with a comeback rate climbing impressively above 76%. Though his win rate is somewhat modest—hovering around 40% overall—he famously turns tables once down a piece, snatching victory or at least complicating matters with a 34% win rate after losing material.

Dominik’s preferred openings reveal a fondness for the Scandinavian Defense family, battling opponents courageously in the tricky Mieses-Kotrc and closed variations. His performance here might make you rise an eyebrow—with win rates ranging from 30% to nearly 57% in some lines—proof that he thrives in the chaos and complexity those lines offer.

In blitz and bullet arenas, Dominik is sporty rather than speedy, maxing out at 351 and 375 respectively, but showing determination despite more frenetic time controls. His bullet game, in particular, is a true joyride — wins and losses practically neck and neck, making every game a real nail-biter.

Psychologically speaking, Dominik has a tilt factor of 8, so don’t be surprised if he vents a little when the pawns just won’t cooperate. But come 1 AM, he’s at his chess best—perhaps a night owl, or fueled by midnight snacks and caffeine, true to many chess warriors.

His most recent games show a knack for classic tactical finishes: recent wins feature swift checkmates by clever Queen maneuvers and solid endgame technique. And while losses happen (aren’t they all inevitable?), Dominik’s spirit to return to the board remains unstoppable.

Off the board, Dominik probably enjoys analyzing his long, hard-fought games over a cup of coffee, planning his next daring opening surprise, and maybe laughing at those moments when the queen just didn’t want to cooperate.

In short, Dominik Exner is a seasoned competitor with heart, humor, and a hearty love for chess’s thrilling unpredictability. Whether facing an opponent across the board or across the internet, he shows us all that chess is not just about ratings—it’s about the journey and resilience.