Gastón Zaidman (aka JuniorZ98)
Meet Gastón Zaidman, the chess gladiator known in the virtual arenas as JuniorZ98. A proud bearer of the prestigious National Master title, Gastón doesn’t just play chess – he battles on the 64 squares with a fiery passion that even a flaming bishop would envy.
Gastón’s chess journey is nothing short of a rollercoaster, with bullet rating fireworks peaking at an impressive 2505 in October 2023 and an equally fierce blitz rating soaring to an astonishing 2536 by May 2024. Rapid chess? He’s got that covered with a top rating of 2160, proving he’s no one-trick pony but a versatile beast in all time controls.
His bullet stats tell the story of a relentless tactician: a remarkable 72.58% win rate over more than 1,200 games, showcasing not just skill but unyielding stamina. His longest winning streak is a jaw-dropping 33 games – that’s enough consecutive victories to make any coffee-fueled chess enthusiast jealous!
Gastón prefers the thrill of the endgame, embracing long battles with an average of nearly 80 moves to victory. It’s clear he’s a cunning strategist who finds beauty where others might find boredom. And losing a piece? No sweat. With a comeback rate of 85.92%, Gastón rallies like a champion, turning adversity into glorious triumph.
Playing predominantly the secret openings even his opponents don't know, Gastón’s style combines psychological resilience – a tilt factor of just 8, pretty calm for bullet chess – with tactical sharpness and a healthy respect for resignation (he’s a gracious winner and loser alike).
Highlight Reel
One of his recent victorious battles ended with a beautifully-crafted mate delivered via the English Opening (Four Knights Variation), sealing the deal by checkmate in a game lasting over 80 moves. Talk about endurance and brains! When he's not charming his keyboard with tactical punches, he’s known for owning various opponents with diverse win rates – from his rival "elviejodearriba" (a 70.59% win rate!) to a clean sweep of 100% against many challengers who dared cross him.
In short, Gastón Zaidman is not just a chess player; he’s a chess force of nature, a towering figure in the digital battlefield, who has proved time and again that with patience, sharp wit, and a bit of luck, even the deadliest bullet bullets can be dodged gracefully.
Ready to play? Beware. JuniorZ98 might just make your king say "checkmate" before you can say "pawn push."