Frank van Tellingen FM

Frank van Tellingen (aka Fravatel)

FIDE Master & Chess Connoisseur

Frank van Tellingen, widely known by the enigmatic username Fravatel, is no ordinary chess player. Awarded the esteemed title of FIDE Master, Frank dances across the 64 squares with a style uniquely his own—part strategist, part tactician, and part magician who occasionally makes pawns disappear just when you think they’re safe.

Rising steadily through the ranks over the years, Frank has shown remarkable prowess in bullet chess, where lightning-fast decisions turn kings into victims and defenders into defeated pawns. With a blistering peak bullet rating of 2697 attained in November 2024, Frank hovers just shy of the mythical 2700 barrier, proving his ability to handle the chaotic fury of 1-minute games without losing his cool—or his queen.

Not one to be pigeonholed, Frank’s skills stretch through blitz, rapid, and daily time controls, with peak ratings of 2531 in blitz and an impressive 2107 in rapid chess. His patient, calculated approach shines through in longer games while he remains a whirlwind in faster formats.

Playing Style & Stats

• Endgame frequency: Nearly 79% – Frank loves to stay in the trenches till the bitter end.
• Average moves per win: 72.2 moves – patience is a virtue, and Frank has bucket loads of it.
• Comeback rate: A stunning 87% – When the going gets tough, Fravatel gets tougher (and cunning!).
• White pieces win rate: 56% – Consistently outmaneuvering opponents as the lone (white) knight.
• Black pieces win rate: 48.5% – Even on the dark side, Frank tends to light up the board.

Frank’s weapon of choice? A top-secret opening repertoire that no opponent can predict—perhaps because even Frank changes it up just to keep everyone on their toes. But for the adventurers, he often ventures into the tricky waters of the Alekhine’s Defense and the Caro-Kann Panov Attack, among others. He’s equally at home in classic Sicilian battles or surprise tactics drawn from the Reti Opening.

Notable Achievements & Quirks

Over thousands of games, Frank has amassed impressive win counts in all time formats, including a bullet win tally surpassing 18,500 games. His longest winning streak reached a formidable 15 games, while even his longest losing streak of 16 games could not break his spirit.

A seasoned gamer, Frank’s strongest time of day to unleash brilliance is the mysterious 2 AM hour. Perhaps the night owl lifestyle fuels his tactical awareness, as he boasts an incredible comeback rate of nearly 87% and bounces back remarkably well after losing pieces.

Recent Highlights

Just this May, Fravatel elegantly checkmated a tough opponent in a captivating bullet game featuring the Sicilian Defense, displaying his trademark calm under pressure and lethal precision. Like a true master, Frank keeps opponents guessing until the very last move.

When not conquering chess boards, Frank is probably plotting new opening novelties or perfecting his endgame technique—because as everyone knows, the game is never truly over until the final rook falls.

So whether you’re an aspiring speed demon or a thoughtful strategist, Frank van Tellingen is a player worth watching. Just remember: when you face Fravatel, expect the unexpected... and try not to get checkmated on move 26.