The Sultan of Speed
Alparslan Isik, known to the chess world as KHBR4, is an International Master who clearly believes that thinking is overrated. With more than 3,400 blitz games and 3,200 bullet games in the sample, this is a player who treats the fast clock as a suggestion and the bullet clock as home turf.
His blitz peak of 2815 (2023-01-16) and a bullet peak of 2909 (2023-08-21) are the kind of numbers that make grandmasters double-check their internet connection. The man does not just play fast, he plays furious.
Opening Repertoire
Alparslan's opening choices are as adventurous as his time management. In blitz he is a regular at the Amazon Attack: Siberian Attack and the Caro-Kann Defense, while his bullet repertoire leans on the Nimzo-Larsen Attack and the Amar Gambit.
As White in bullet, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack has been a gold mine with a 65.62% win rate. His English Opening: Agincourt Defense in blitz is also a sturdy friend, winning 60% of the time. When he wants to keep things spicy, the Scotch Game makes a cameo.
Rivalries
No biography is complete without a nemesis. Alparslan's most played opponent, x-2872584143, has won 60 of their 110 meetings. That is a rivalry that keeps him up at night, probably while playing more blitz.
Against Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi it is a knife fight in a phone booth, 47 wins to 45 in Alparslan's favor. And poor Petros Trimitzios has lost 38 of their 52 encounters, which might explain why the rematch requests keep coming.
The Comeback King
The data says Alparslan has a comeback rate of 89.23% and still wins 45.47% of games after dropping a piece. That is not a player who gives up, that is a player who sees a material deficit as a dramatic setup.
His longest winning streak hit 17 games, while his longest losing streak of 14 suggests he also knows how to embrace the dark side of the force. His best results come at 2 AM, which tells you everything about his relationship with sleep.
By the Numbers
- Blitz games played: 3,446
- Bullet games played: 3,246
- Longest winning streak: 17
- Longest losing streak: 14
- Win rate after losing a piece: 45.47%
- Endgame frequency: 83.06%
Rapid, the Forgotten Child
If you only looked at his rapid record, you would think he was a different species. 19 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw. A 95% win rate in rapid. He is either saving his energy for the fast stuff or he simply forgets that slower games exist. Either way, the rapid board has been very kind to him.