Jesse Zafirakos - Candidate Master Extraordinaire
Jesse Zafirakos, also known in the chess circles as icy, is a formidable Candidate Master who dances with 64 squares like a seasoned chess ninja. Their FIDE title speaks volumes about their dedication, but their bullet prowess truly tells the story of a whirlwind attacker with nerves of steel.
A Rating Rollercoaster
Starting humbly at 962 in 2020, Jesse skyrocketed to a staggering bullet rating peak of 3045 by 2025. Along the way, they tossed around opponents faster than you can say "fork and mate!" Their blitz and rapid ratings have also soared to impressive heights over the same period, with peaks of 2620 in blitz and 2466 in rapid chess, showing mastery across all time controls.
Playing Style
Jesse has a gladiator's spirit on the board. With an average game length of over 66 moves per win and a remarkable 98.47% win rate after losing a piece, they refuse to roll over and play dead. Endgames are their stomping ground, featuring in over 65% of their games, where their calm and strategic finesse shine bright.
Opening Repertoire - The Secret Sauce
When it comes to openings, Jesse is both a classicist and an innovator. In bullet games, the Scandinavian Defense and the Van ’t Kruijs Opening have been personal goldmines, boasting win rates around 76% and 78% respectively. They also flex their skills with fianchetto setups and the King's Indian Attack variations, proving versatility is their middle name.
Records and Rivalries
With over 25,000 bullet wins and counting, Jesse has faced a cast of thousands, including the perennial rival theknight_ontherim, against whom they've battled 1,848 times. Remarkably, Jesse maintains a win rate above 77% against this favorite foe — talk about friendly fire with a slice of victory!
Psychological Insights
Despite the intensity of rapid and bullet play, Jesse's tilt factor stands at a modest 40, which means setbacks ruffle their feathers, but don’t send them squawking to the sidelines. Their ability to churn out comebacks is high — a tastefully humiliating 73.67% comeback rate — enough to keep any opponent on their toes.
Fun Facts
- Likes to play bullet chess at the witching hour of 14:00 with a win rate exceeding 75%.
- Owns a streak of 101 consecutive wins — yes, an entire century plus one!
- Has over 30,000 total wins across bullet, blitz, rapid, and daily formats combined.
In Summary
Whether you're speedrunning bullet games or grinding out slow, strategic endgames, Jesse Zafirakos stands as a chess force not to be underestimated. If you face them, prepare for a battle of brains, bluffs, and breathtaking tactics!