Johan Norberg aka "gaasten"
Johan Norberg is a FIDE Master, proudly carrying the prestigious title that many aspire to but few achieve. Known in the chess oddities world as "gaasten," Johan combines serious skill with a dash of humor, proving that even the most intense minds can enjoy the game—and life—lightheartedly.
Starting from humble beginnings, Johan’s Bullet rating skyrocketed from around 1358 in May 2015 to a staggering peak of 2629 in May 2017—a meteoric rise powered by both blistering speed and cunning tactics. Their Blitz and Daily ratings aren't far behind, with peak Blitz reaching 2599 (Dec 2021) and Daily notching 2083 (Feb 2017), demonstrating versatility across all formats. If chess were a triathlon, Johan would be on the podium for all three legs.
With a win rate north of 60% in bullet and blitz games and an impressive 80.8% in daily chess against a "top secret" opening repertoire (which we can only assume involves a secret handshake with the chess gods), Johan is clearly a force to be reckoned with. Always prepared, they've faced fierce opponents such as pallix and tipo33-hagby dozens of times—no stranger to rivalry, but often the one holding the sword in hand.
Johan's style? Oh, it’s a mix of patience, precision, and occasional lightning-fast strikes. Their remarkable comeback rate sits at almost 80%—proof that even when the pieces look grim, gaasten refuses to surrender quietly. The endgame? Johan lives for it, reaching this battlefield over 75% of their games, converting complexity into victory like a maestro.
Not just a warrior on the board, Johan has a curious relationship with time: while their best time to play is 3 AM (the owl’s hour), their tilt factor is a modest 8—meaning they take losses with a grin rather than a storm. Games often see early resignations from tired opponents, worried about facing this relentless tactician.
Highlight from the latest victory
On June 1, 2024, using the Caro-Kann Defense’s Two Knights Attack, Johan executed a beautiful checkmate, finishing with a clever queen invasion in 39 moves. The game featured some solid defensive play, a brave knight sacrifice, and tactical precision that left their opponent no room to breathe. You can relive this masterpiece here.
Whether it's beat-the-clock bullet duels or marathon daily battles, Johan Norberg remains a gladiator on the 64 squares, forever chasing excellence and occasionally chuckling at their own creative blunders. Long live gaasten, the FIDE Master with a winning smile and an iron will!