Julian Groetzbach (Groetzi) - FIDE Master Extraordinaire
Meet Julian Groetzbach, a FIDE Master who has been steadily climbing the chess ranks with the tenacity of a knight hunting down a loose pawn. Known in the chess world as Groetzi, Julian blends strategic brilliance with a hint of playful unpredictability—because who said serious brainwork can’t be fun?
Starting with a modest blitz rating of 1362 back in 2014, Groetzi has catapulted to a dazzling peak blitz rating of 2513 by early 2025, and a bullet peak rating of 2519 reached just recently in 2024. Clearly, this isn't just a casual hobby; this is chess played at superhero speed.
Julian’s playing style is a delightful cocktail: a relatively high early resignation rate (about 27%) suggests that when Groetzi smells a bad brew, they’re quick to put the board away—because why waste time on a sinking ship? But fear not! With a comeback rate soaring at over 64%, Groetzi is also a master of second chances and clever tactical salvages.
Notable openings? Groetzi shows special affection for the King's Indian Attack (Yugoslav Variation) with an impressive 75% win rate in blitz, and a rock-solid performance with the London System and various Scandinavian Defense lines. In bullet chess, the Reti Opening Nimzowitsch Larsen Attack is a frequent choice, boasting a win rate over 72%.
When it comes to the psychological battlefield, Julian shines brightest around 2 PM, with win rates climbing sky-high in the early afternoon hours (reaching over 70% at 14:00!)—truly a creature of the daylight. And although the occasional tilt factor of 8 might sneak in after tough losses, Groetzi bounces back with the resilience of a chess-board bounce.
Among their biggest wins, a recent thrilling blitz victory against GeorgiosSouleidis not only showcased tactical prowess but a graceful win on time, proving sometimes speed is king. Despite a few tough losses to hardened rivals like tteshan, Groetzi’s record against most opponents paints a picture of dominance, discipline, and more than a dash of brilliance.
Off the board? Groetzi likely enjoys a good puzzle, a strong coffee, and maybe plotting the next quirky but effective opening surprise. With such dynamic stats and a cap on the top-tier ladder, Julian Groetzbach is a name chess enthusiasts will remember — or fear — for years to come.