Profile: Gel Hernández Blanco (aka Gelyfi)
Meet Gel Hernández Blanco, affectionately known in the chess realm as Gelyfi, a rapid-paced tactician whose games are as exciting as a roller-coaster ride through a pawn storm. Although currently cruising with a Rapid rating around 146 and a Blitz peak nearly hitting 980, Gel’s journey in 2025 is a wild mix of dazzling wins and some humbling losses. With a penchant for the King's Pawn Opening, Gel tends to spring clever traps early on — that infamous “Fool’s Mate” style checkmate delivered in under 5 moves on May 24th is proof that Gelyfi never shies away from theatrical finishes.
But don’t be fooled! Gel's style has a high early resignation rate (~52%), which means sometimes the battles end before all the fireworks explode — a survival mechanism, or the mind’s way of saying “Let’s save it for the next game.” Still, the love for drama remains strong, evident by a decent comeback rate (nearly 34%) and a knack for squeezing victories after losing pieces. When things get tough, Gel often tilts with a factor of 7 (in chess, that's like an espresso shot of frustration), but bounces back by playing best around 5pm — prime time for chess and maybe some coffee.
With almost 115 wins and 142 losses in Rapid alone, plus a few nail-biting games in Blitz and Bullet formats, Gelyfi is a passionate player who embraces the unpredictability of the 64 squares. The player’s opening repertoire favors the King’s Pawn Opening and its variations, highlighting a preference for classical chess principles with a dash of creativity. Notorious for a memorable spectacular victory by checkmate with the queen on f7, Gel adds flair to the game that is hard to forget.
Off the board, Gel’s reputation includes being a fierce competitor who often battles not only opponents but also the clock — and sometimes their own nerves. The stats suggest a tenacious soul who loves the game for the thrill, the challenge, and the occasional checkmate that leaves everyone gasping.
Follow Gelyfi for a journey filled with unexpected turns, charming blunders, and flashes of brilliance — in other words, exactly what makes chess the beautiful game we all adore.
“Chess isn’t just a game, it’s a dramatic performance with a royal audience.” — Probably Gelyfi
