Vakhtang Gogolauri

Vakhtang Gogolauri (aka Gogolaurii)

Meet Vakhtang Gogolauri, a rapid chess enthusiast with a relentless passion for outmaneuvering opponents – and an impressive knack for bouncing back from setbacks. Since 2023, Gogolaurii has been climbing the rating ladder steadily, hitting a personal best rapid rating of 1205 in February 2025. Not too shabby for someone whose rating journey resembles a rollercoaster, complete with thrilling peaks and some dramatic dips. But hey, every great player needs a story, right?

Playing Style & Strengths

With an average game lasting around 67 moves, Gogolaurii clearly enjoys a good, long think—perhaps over some coffee or just sheer stubbornness. Rapid games dominate his activity, with a win rate just over 50% when playing with white pieces and a respectable 45% when playing black (because the knight always steals the show on the dark squares!). He proves a fierce competitor in endgames, participating in them in over 67% of his games—a true battlefield of patience and tactics.

Tactical Tenacity

His comeback rate is an impressive 80.81%, which means if Vakhtang loses a piece, don't count him out! He has a knack for turning around grim situations, showing tactical awareness that might soon earn him the nickname “The Lazarus of Chess.”

Opening Repertoire

Gogolaurii feels at home with the Queen's Pawn Opening, which he’s played a whopping 265 times, boasting a win rate above 51%. The French Defense (both Normal and Knight variations) also feature prominently, along with a liking for the aggressive Englund Gambit (because why not surprise your opponent?). His versatility shines with a mix of solid and adventurous openings, keeping adversaries guessing and often scratching their heads.

Performance Highlights & Quirks

• Longest Winning Streak: 11 games (who says you can't ride the wave?)
• Longest Losing Streak: 10 games (ouch, but c'mon, it happens to the best!)
• Favorite Time to Play: 4 PM sharp — perhaps because that's when the coffee kicks in?
• Most Recent Win: A classic strategic duel won by resignation against demi-god00 showcasing solid technique and nerves of steel.
• Most Recent Loss: A humble defeat to alemblu proving even grandmasters-in-the-making have their off days.

Psychological Profile & Fun Facts

With a tilt factor of 10, Vakhtang manages to keep his cool better than most after tough losses, though a little passion is what makes chess beautiful. Not surprisingly, his best hours hover around midday and late afternoon, when his brain switches to tactical beast mode.

And if you're wondering about his approach to endings: patience is key. He rarely resigns early, embodying the spirit of the true fight-to-the-end warrior who might just pitch a flawless comeback or lose gloriously after a marathon battle.

In Summary

Vakhtang Gogolauri is the kind of player who shows that chess isn't always about instant brilliance—sometimes it’s about grit, steady improvement, and a touch of magic when the pieces fall just right. Whether grinding out a slow king march or launching a sneaky gambit, he keeps opponents on their toes and fans entertained.

So if you ever face Gogolaurii at the board, brace yourself for a tactical dance, some surprising comebacks, and a dozen twists before the final checkmate. And remember: in chess, as in life, it's not just about the wins, but how spectacularly you fight through the losses!