Tamaz Gelashvili (GMTamaz)
Tamaz Gelashvili, who often signs on as GMTamaz, is a FIDE Grandmaster known for fast, sharp play and an appetite for chaotic positions. He favors speed and precision, which shows in a clear preference for Bullet time controls. Expect tactical fireworks, practical endgame skill, and an uncanny ability to win by keeping the clock ticking.
Career highlights in brief: a peak Blitz surge and a recent Bullet peak that underline his Bullet-first approach. For quick reference: 2241 (2024-01-11) and 2400 (2018-11-03).
Playing Style
Tamaz plays like someone who ordered espresso and a tactical motif. He converts pressure into wins, prefers rich middlegames, and reaches endgames often enough to make them a weapon rather than a chore.
- High finished-game frequency - endgames appear in over 70 percent of his games.
- Strong comeback instincts - a comeback rate around 73 percent makes him dangerous even after setbacks.
- Wins quickly and decisively in Bullet - many wins come in under a minute of thinking time.
- Typical game tempo - average decisive game length sits near 60 moves in recent years, showing staying power.
Openings and Favorite Lines
Tamaz is an adventurous opener. He uses mainstream defenses but is happy to surprise with less common lines when the position calls for fireworks.
- Sicilian Defense - a go-to on both sides; many sharp victories here. See Sicilian Defense.
- Caro-Kann - reliable and practical choice as White and Black.
- Philidor Defense - used with both colors; practical and tricky.
- Alapin and Sherzer variations - excellent conversion rates in Blitz and Bullet.
- Surprise weapons - Amazon Attack and Barnes Defense have produced perfect short histories in Bullet.
Streaks, Records, and Opponents
Tamaz has had streaks that make opponents suspicious of sandbags. He is both relentless and consistent in quick time controls.
- Longest winning streak: 30 games.
- Longest losing streak: 3 games.
- Most played opponents include 2000tops. See their profile: 2000tops.
- Strong head-to-heads: 5 wins, 0 losses versus 2000tops in recorded encounters.
Memorable Games and Sample
Below is a short illustrative sequence that captures Tamaz's preferred themes: central control, tactical shots, and a rapid race to victory. Play it back or study the motifs.
- Sample mini-PGN:
- Example game replay: View Game
Career Snapshot
A compact chart of recent activity and rating trend in the preferred time control may help visualize momentum. Use the chart below to see how rapid play has shaped results.
Fun Facts and Quirks
- Nickname on the server: GMTamaz. Short, memorable, and probably chosen with time zones in mind.
- Best time of day to face him: expect his most consistent results around late morning hours.
- Psychological profile: low tilt factor and a big rated-versus-casual performance gap - he thrives when the game matters.
Explore More
Curious to dig deeper into particular openings or terms? Jump to one of these curated entries.
- Study the Sicilian: Sicilian Defense
- Look up the Alapin: Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
- Inspect the Philidor: Philidor Defense