Joao Avalos (IPAchess): The Bullet-Playing FIDE Master
Joao Avalos, known online as IPAchess, is a FIDE Master with a simple philosophy: why think for minutes when you can think for seconds? While his title comes from FIDE, his real playground is the bullet clock, where he has raced to a peak bullet rating of 2448 (2026-02-11). In blitz, he is just as dangerous, touching 2629 (2026-05-24).
Career Journey
Since 2020, Joao has logged thousands of online games and evolved from a sharp 2258 blitz player into a 2500-plus force. His rating path is a roller coaster of brilliant surges, stubborn slumps, and eventual comebacks, as shown in his blitz history.
Opening Repertoire
Joao does not hide behind quiet moves. With the white pieces, he frequently launches the Diemer-Duhm Gambit and its sharp Amazon Attack line, while also scoring well with the Australian Defense. As Black, he loves the tactical chaos of the Blackburne Shilling Gambit and the solid flexibility of the Queen's Gambit Declined, especially in the Ragozin and 4.Nf3 lines. He is an opening fighter who rarely repeats himself.
Rivalries and Streaks
Every online gladiator needs a familiar foe, and for Joao that foe is Marlon Steven Aspiazu Sibri, his most played opponent with 25 blitz meetings. Joao holds the bragging rights with 13 wins. He also holds winning records against bugserge and berserkgustone. His longest winning streak of 15 games shows his ability to catch fire, while a 13-game losing streak proves that even masters have to eat humble pie.
Playing Style and Quirks
Joao is a comeback artist. His stats show an 88.3% comeback rate and a 48% win rate even after losing material, meaning opponents who relax early get punished. He scores better with the white pieces, wins most often around 05:00 in the morning, and reaches the endgame in 79% of his games. Even a FIDE Master can have an off week: his 2024 daily chess record of 4 wins and 18 losses proves that patience is not his superpower.
Legacy
Joao Avalos plays chess the way it was meant to be played online: fast, brave, and never boring. Whether he is sacrificing pawns in the Amazon Attack or grinding out an endgame, IPAchess always gives the audience a show.