Jason Cigan (aka Jdgrunfeld)
Meet Jason Cigan, a chess dynamo whose journey through the 64 squares is nothing short of a thrilling rollercoaster ride. Known online as Jdgrunfeld, Jason combines tactical awareness with a pinch of humor – after all, who else would manage a 40-game winning streak and still keep calm while his Tilt Factor hovers around 35?
Early Adventures
Starting around 2013, Jason waltzed onto the chess scene with a modest daily rating of around 1500, quickly climbing the ranks with a perfect 7-0 score in a May tournament of just 7 games. Not one to shy away from the struggle, he has seen his fair share of ups and downs, including a notoriously tough losing streak of 35 games – proving even the best fall before they rise.
The Blitz and Bullet Maestro
Jason’s blitz and bullet performances are truly impressive. With a peak blitz rating soaring to 2326 and bullet at a snappy 2176, he often plays at lightning speed, outmaneuvering opponents with the precision of a grandmaster and the speed of a caffeine-fueled squirrel. His blitz average win rate is an admirable 59%, and his tactical prowess shines in bullet, where he boasts a comeback rate of over 83%! This guy knows how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat faster than you can say “Checkmate!”
Opening Repertoire - The Secret Sauce
Jason prefers an eclectic opening repertoire, mastering defenses and attacks alike. His daily games showcase a terrifyingly successful use of the Pirc Defense and the Sicilian Najdorf English Attack, where he boasts win rates around 92-93%! He’s equally comfortable mixing it up with the Slav, Ruy Lopez (Old Steinitz), and even some Indian Game strategies to keep his opponents guessing.
The Psychological Warrior
Chess is as much a mental battle as a tactical one, and Jason’s psychological profile shows a fighter. Despite a tilt factor of 35 (the occasional tilt is human!), he has an amazing 56% win rate even after losing a piece—talk about resilience! And while mornings might be slow for mere mortals, Jason’s best time to play is at the witching hour of 2 AM, where he channels his inner chess ninja to dominate the board.
Highlight Reel
Notable games include his brilliant win over BergwallSB in May 2015, featuring sharp English Opening tactics, and a rapid-fire blitz victory against borovica with a peak blitz rating of 2326. Jason’s style is balanced: he averages about 70 moves per win, reflecting a patient strategist who enjoys long battles and epic endgames (his endgame frequency is a hefty 70.5%).
Fun Facts
- Longest Winning Streak: 40 games (that’s borderline legendary)
- Has beaten some opponents over 90% of the time — take that, ladiesget2knowme!
- Avg moves per win and loss are nearly identical, proving he's equally thorough winning or learning.
- Once managed to grab victory on time in a game where the current position was a battlefield with queens, knights, and bishop fireworks.
In Summary
Jason Cigan is a dedicated competitor who blends grit, speed, and deep strategic understanding with a hearty dose of humor. Whether crushing opponents in blitz or slowly maneuvering through daily games, he’s a test for any chess lover lucky enough to face him. And if you spot him online around 2 AM, be prepared: the sleep-deprived beast is unleashed!
