Karthikeyan Pandian (aka Kargan90)
Title: Grandmaster (FIDE)
Meet Karthikeyan Pandian, the Grandmaster who treats the chessboard like a battlefield and his opponents like mere pawns in his master plan for world domination—well, at least in blitz games! With a FIDE title befitting a strategist of his caliber, Karthikeyan has steadily climbed the rating ladder to a peak blitz rating of 2845 achieved recently in November 2024. Not bad for someone who probably dreams in openings and tactics.
Playing Style & Strengths
Karthikeyan's games are long affairs, with an average of nearly 76 moves per win—because who doesn’t enjoy the dramatic tension of a chess marathon? His love for endgames is evident, featuring an 82.57% endgame frequency, giving him the final nod many grandmasters dream of. His resilience shines through with a spectacular 88.06% comeback rate, showing that losing a piece is just a minor hiccup in his journey to victory.
And if you ever think about quitting early, beware—his early resignation rate is a mere 1.71%. He’s in it to win it! Gaming with the white pieces gives him a slight edge with a 53.07% win rate, while with black, it’s a battle-ready 47.31%.
Opening Repertoire
Karthikeyan's signature "Top Secret" opening strategy has been employed in over 2700 blitz games, winning nearly half of them. That’s probably code for "so secret even Stockfish is baffled." The Queens Pawn Opening Krause Variation boasts a perfect 100% win rate, so watch out if that’s what he throws at you!
Recent Highlights
The Grandmaster's latest victory came in June 2025, not by a brilliant checkmate (though those are plenty), but by making his opponent resign after a fierce and crafty Sicilian Defense Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo-Gufeld Gambit encounter. When asked about his secret, he might just say, "I put my pieces where your king doesn’t want them."
The Numbers Game
- Total blitz wins: 1444, losses: 1265, draws: 186.
- Rapid and bullet formats are more casual, but Karthikeyan still boasts a commendable bullet peak rating of 2562.
- His longest winning streak? A respectable 9 games. And if things get rough, his tilt factor is kept admirably low at 8 (out of 100, probably), proving that even grandmasters have nerves of steel.
Off the Board
Karthikeyan, or Kargan90 online, prefers mornings around 6 AM to play his best chess, which means he's either an early riser or a sleep-deprived genius. Opponents beware: his win rate peaks during this time, so don’t schedule a match before your first coffee. He tends to perform better on Thursdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays, proving he's got the midweek spirit and weekend warrior skills built in.
Fun Fact
Despite facing a wide variety of opponents, Karthikeyan has a 100% win rate against openings like the Queens Pawn Opening Krause Variation and others cheekily named "Top Secret"—because some things in chess, like his next move, remain shrouded in delightful mystery.
In summary, if your username is on his recent opponents list, don’t be surprised if your king feels an early eviction notice. Karthikeyan Pandian is a force to be reckoned with—both on and off the board.