Stian Hjorteland (aka Julabrus)
Born with a chessboard in his hands (or so the legend goes), Stian Hjorteland, better known online as "Julabrus," is a relentless warrior of the 64 squares. Starting off humbly with a blitz rating barely above 1000, Stian's journey is a tale of dedication, resilience, and a pinch of blitz-induced caffeine jitters.
Chess Progress & Peak Ratings
Since debuting his pieces in 2012, Stian has steadily climbed the ranks and shattered personal records across all time controls. His blitz prowess peaked impressively at 2086 in early 2023, earning him respect and the occasional trophy (and more grudging losses) from opponents.
- Blitz: 2086 (January 2023)
- Daily: 1952 (January 2025) – proving patience is a virtue
- Rapid: 1677 (June 2021) – balanced speed with strategy
- Bullet: 1933 (March 2021) – fast fingers, keen mind
Playing Style & Psychology
Stian likes to keep his opponents on their toes. With an average of about 67 moves per win in blitz, patience is clearly his secret weapon, and his 84% comeback rate suggests he thrives on turning the tables at the last moment. He is not one to throw in the towel, rarely resigning early (only about 2% early resignations), but be warned—he does have a tilt factor of 13. So if you tempt fate, you might see him shake off a loss and come back swinging with newfound vigor.
Favored Openings
In the chaotic melee of blitz, Stian is partial to some spicy and aggressive lines: the Sicilian Defense (including the Smith Morra Gambit), the Scandinavian Defense, and the Kings Gambit often appear in his opening repertoire — signaling a fearless approach to battle. His win rates in these variations hover impressively around 50-59%, which, against human opponents (and not just his pet cat), is quite notable.
Achievements & Stats
With over 11,000 blitz games played (yes, you read that right), his experience level is almost encyclopedic. He’s not just about quantity though—his blitz win percentage sits close to 52%, which means Stian knows when to attack and when to hold steady. Despite the brutal nature of bullet and blitz time controls, Julabrus manages to keep a winning record.
His daily chess performance is equally impressive, boasting an 85% win rate in select openings like the Sicilian Defense and the Philidor Defense. And if you challenge him at night, beware! His best time of day to play is around midnight, when many opponents are presumably asleep or dreaming about blundering.
Fun Fact
Despite juggling thousands of games, Stian's longest winning streak is a cool 17 games, demonstrating that when he's hot, human players better take cover. His victories often end with a flourish — resignations from opponents overwhelmed by his strategic wizardry and blitz speed.
Recent Battles
His most recent victories included battles with fierce lines like the Scotch Game Dubois Reti Max Lange Attack and the Sicilian Defense, proving that Stian has both the patience for long strategic duels and the speed for tactical fireworks. However, every gladiator has his off days—recent losses remind him that even the best need to sometimes step off the battlefield, lick their wounds, and come back stronger.
In Summary
Stian Hjorteland is a testament to persistence, passion, and a touch of madness that keeps chess interesting. Whether it’s blitz or daily chess, he’s a formidable foe and an inspiring player. So if you ever want to test your mettle, challenge Julabrus — but prepare for a fight, because he’s likely already three moves ahead, plotting your downfall with a smile and a cup of coffee nearby.