Yevhenii Yelisieiev: The International Maestro with a Bullet Flair
Known in chess circles as Journey_to_GrandMaster_YT, Yevhenii Yelisieiev is an International Master recognized by FIDE for his razor-sharp tactics and relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether wielding the white or black pieces, Yevhenii’s sharp strategic mind and fearless playstyle turn each game into a thrilling adventure on the board.
Rating Odyssey & Achievements
From humble beginnings around 1800 in bullet chess back in 2015, Yevhenii’s rating skyrocketed to a blistering peak of 2705 in bullet as of June 2025, displaying a tenacity that few players can match. His blitz prowess is equally impressive, hitting a peak of 2756 just last year. The rapid format doesn't escape his clutch either, with a top historical rating around 2434.
Playing Style: A Mix of Endgame Wizardry and Tactical Fireworks
Yevhenii's style is a sophisticated blend of patience and aggression. With an 82.22% endgame frequency, he clearly enjoys playing the long game, squeezing out wins with precision and depth. His comeback rate is a staggering 84.95%, proving he’s never truly beaten until the final move is played — a nightmare for opponents hoping to close out early.
Interestingly, his "early resignation rate" is low (2.78%), showing he fights tooth and nail even in tough spots. And if you think Yevhenii only shines under bright daylight, think again: his best time of day to play is 3:00 AM, when most mortals are dreaming of checkmates in their sleep.
Opening Arsenal: Secretive Yet Effective
Like a magician hiding his best trick, many of Yevhenii’s games are played with openings labeled “Top Secret,” where he boasts a near 50% win rate over thousands of bullet games — quietly demolishing opponents without giving away his strategies. Favorites include the Indian Game East Indian Przepiorka Variation with a 62.5% win rate and the Old Indian Defense Ukrainian Two Knights Variation with an 80% win rate. The Colle System and Pirc Defense also make repeat appearances, proving versatility is a forte.
Recent Battles: Sharp, Swift, and Decisive
Yevhenii recently showcased his relentless style in a thrilling bullet match against lildoggo2007, brilliantly executing the Indian Game East Indian Przepiorka Variation to a time victory. His games often end with brilliant tactics rather than passive draws — be it winning on time or delivering checkmate, Yevhenii loves to finish strong.
Opponent Dynamics and Psychological Edge
His most-classic rivalry includes clashes against players such as gmjoey1 and masterleif, with a roughly balanced record showcasing the competitive grind at high levels. Yevhenii's tilt factor is a modest 18, which means he keeps his cool on the battlefield, even when the chips are down.
Fun Fact
While Yevhenii keeps a poker face on the board, his preferred time to fight chess battles is at the crack of dawn when the rest of the world is asleep, proving that sometimes chess greatness comes with a little insomnia—and perhaps an endless supply of coffee!
With a current winning streak of 5 and a longest winning streak of 20, this IM is sprinting fast towards the Grandmaster title — so keep an eye on Journey_to_GrandMaster_YT, where the journey is as fascinating as the destination.