Profile: Alexey Shelest (aka hedgehog_2304)
Meet Alexey Shelest, the chess enthusiast who’s been battling pawns, knights, and blunders since 2016 with the tenacity of a hedgehog protecting its territory – hence the genius username hedgehog_2304. From humble beginnings with ratings hovering around 1500 in bullet, Alexey has carved a path through the ranks, reaching a spectacular bullet peak rating of 2402 in November 2024. Clearly, this hedgehog knows how to curl up and strike when it matters!
Specializing in lightning-fast games, Alexey’s expertise shines brightest in bullet and blitz formats, boasting thousands of wins and a playstyle marked by a curious blend of solid defense and near-legendary resilience. With a comeback rate close to 86%, giving up a piece isn’t the end—it’s just the start of a thrilling recovery journey that often ends in smiles or resignation from his opponents.
Having faced a colorful array of challengers—from jura50171 to kevinz2—Alexey maintains a commendably positive win record against many. His strategic arsenal favors unknown openings in bullet and blitz, proving that sometimes mystery is the best weapon on the chessboard. Notorious for an average of nearly 78 moves on winning games, he prefers a long, drawn-out battle rather than quick checkmates—patience is key!
Alexey’s peak blitz rating soared to an impressive 2335 in July 2024, while his rapid chess skills reached a solid peak of 2189 in late 2023, showing that his talents are multifaceted across different time controls. True to his nickname, he’s a nighttime warrior, with an optimal playing hour around 3 AM, when the rest of the world sleeps and the chessboard becomes his kingdom.
Psychologically, Alexey experiences the occasional tilt with a rating tilt factor of 11, but who wouldn’t when playing thousands of intense games? Luckily, his early resignation rate is a modest 1.32%, proving he fights to the bitter end more often than not. Also, with a whopping 83% frequency of reaching endgames, if the fight comes down to kings and pawns, you bet hedgehog_2304 is ready.
Recent Battle Highlights
- Last notable victory was a nail-biter in the Vienna Game Max Lange Defense, showcasing patient maneuvering and a triumphant resignation by the opponent.
- Challenging days exist, such as a recent defeat by checkmate in a Ruy Lopez Classical Central variation, but Alexey quickly bounces back with calculated aggression.
When not busy outsmarting foes with his trusty bishops and clever knights, Alexey might be contemplating the best snack to fuel his next chess marathon or plotting a new opening surprise. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: the hedgehog is not to be underestimated on the 64 squares.
May your pawns promote and your queens reign!
