Pavel Ponkratov
Grandmaster of the 64 squares
Pavel Ponkratov is no ordinary chess player — he's a Grandmaster, a title bestowed upon those who have stared into the abyss of chess complexities and winked back. Born with a seemingly built-in chess radar, Pavel has dazzled opponents across rapid, blitz, and bullet formats, leaving behind a trail of brilliant moves and, occasionally, a few scratching heads.
Known in the online realms as Infernal_XaM, Pavel’s style embodies tactical brilliance and psychological resilience. His comeback rate after losing a piece is a staggering 86.7%, proving he's not just chess-smart, but also a master of grit and wit under pressure. If chess were a dance, Pavel would be the one leading with unexpected twirls and cheeky footwork.
Rating Highlights
- Peak Rapid rating: 2885 (July 2019)
- Peak Blitz rating: 3005 (July 2020) — yes, breaking through the 3000 barrier!
- Peak Bullet rating: 2994 (March 2023) — blink and you’ll miss those lightning moves.
Statistics Snapshot
Pavel's impressive record in blitz is a testament to his sharp reflexes and quick thinking, with over 2,000 wins logged. In bullet chess — where speed is king — he boasts a win rate north of 55%, making opponents wonder if he's secretly a chess robot in disguise.
With an average game lasting around 79 moves for victories, Pavel’s games are often marathons of mental endurance rather than quick sprints, showing his love for intricate endgames and strategic battles. His endgame frequency is a whopping 84.75%, so if you're facing him, be ready to fight until the very end!
Anecdote
Despite a tilt factor of 11 (which means sometimes things get spicy), Pavel’s best time to play is at 3 AM sharp — the witching hour where grandmasters awaken and calculate worlds ahead.
Whether he's grinding in rapid games or firing off bullets faster than you can say "checkmate," Pavel Ponkratov continues to push his limits, proving on and off the board that chess is not just a game, but a relentless adventure.
You can check out his latest crafty victory in English Opening Caro-Kann Defensive System — where after a precise sequence of moves, his opponent threw in the towel, acknowledging the grandmaster's inexorable pursuit of glory.