Biography
Raymond Gao is a chess player who earned the National Master title from National. A titled performer with a knack for creative thinking, he blends humor with serious preparation and remains a crowd favorite at online and over-the-board events. Known for his calm under pressure and a willingness to experiment, Gao treats every game as a fresh puzzle to solve.
Titles and Recognition
Gao is recognized as a National Master, a testament to years of hard work and consistent results across formats. In rapid play, his peak rating reached around 2310, with a blitz peak of 2632 in spring 2025. He continues to compete at a high level, balancing strategic depth with practical, nerve-steady play. 2310 (2025-06-04)
Playing Style and Opening Repertoire
Raymond Gao is a well-rounded player who thrives in rapid formats but competes confidently in Blitz, Bullet, and Daily events as well. His openings reflect a flexible and pragmatic approach, often choosing aggressive lines when the position calls for it and solid systems when patience is rewarded. Here are some highlights from his repertoire:
- Blitz openings:
- Amar Gambit — 305 games, 143 wins, 133 losses, 29 draws (Win rate 46.89%)
- London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation — 187 games, 101 wins, 71 losses, 15 draws (Win rate 54.01%)
- Modern — 174 games, 98 wins, 59 losses, 17 draws (Win rate 56.32%)
- Sicilian Defense — 174 games, 88 wins, 70 losses, 16 draws (Win rate 50.57%)
- Bullet openings:
- Amar Gambit — 130 games, 61 wins, 63 losses, 6 draws (Win rate 46.92%)
- Scandinavian Defense — 38 games, 22 wins, 14 losses, 2 draws (Win rate 57.89%)
- Caro-Kann Defense — 37 games, 23 wins, 12 losses, 2 draws (Win rate 62.16%)
- Rapid openings:
- Sicilian Defense — 15 games, 9 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw (Win rate 60%)
- Amar Gambit — 12 games, 10 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw (Win rate 83.33%)
- Australian Defense — 4 games, 4 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws (Win rate 100%)
Notable Moments
Gao’s competitive career features several impressive streaks and milestones. Notably, his longest winning streak stands at 18 games, reflecting a period of sustained momentum. He has also navigated long battles and tough tactical positions with composure, contributing to his reputation as a resilient opponent at the board. His current streaks are a reminder that every tournament is a new chapter in his ongoing chess story.
Openings and Style Highlights
Gao’s openings across formats show a balance between ambitious, sharp choices and reliable, solid systems. In Blitz, his top-performing lines include the Amar Gambit, London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation, and Modern, while his Bullet repertoire leans into dynamic, aggressive setups like the Scandi and Caro-Kann family lines. In Rapid, he diversifies with Sicilian and Amaran-style ideas, always ready to convert initiative into material and positional advantages.