Sam Sevian GM

Sam Sevian: The Grandmaster Who Plays Like a Chess Whisperer

Born with a chessboard for a brain (just kidding... or am I?), Sam Sevian, known online as Konavets, is a grandmaster who dances spectacularly across the 64 squares. Awarded the prestigious title of Grandmaster by FIDE, Sam has proven to be a formidable opponent in every time control, from lightning-fast bullet games to marathon daily battles.

Rating Roller Coaster

Sam’s chess journey is marked by an impressive peak rating of 3229 in bullet chess as of May 2025 — a speed chess speed demon! Blitz isn't far behind, boasting a high rating of 3207. In rapid games, Sam reached a peak rating of over 3094. Even in the relaxed daily format, Sam managed to hit a respectable 1991 score. It seems time control is no obstacle for our chess maestro.

Victories, Defeats, and a Dash of Draws

With a blitz record boasting 4662 wins against 2231 losses and 864 draws, Sam's prowess in fast-paced settings is staggering. Bullet games feature over 2400 wins and less than a thousand losses, proving that when Sam hits the keyboard, opponents better watch out! Rapid and daily formats show fewer but still impressive wins, exhibiting a versatile skill set.

Opening Repertoire: The “Top Secret” Strategy

Sam loves keeping a few tricks up their sleeve, as the most played opening is cleverly named Top Secret. With over 7600 games in this mysterious line, the win rate hovers just above 60% in blitz and over 66% in bullet. Other favorites include the Catalan, Sicilian, and Petrovs Defense variations, showing that Sam respects classic chess theory but never forgets to spice things up.

Playing Style and Tricks

• Endgame Enthusiast: Sam relishes endgames, featuring them in 85.59% of games — clearly a position grinder.
• Comeback Kid: A remarkable 90.26% comeback rate shows never to count Sam out, even when down a piece.
• Psychological Ninja: Maintains a low tilt factor (10), showing cool nerves even under fire. The best time to challenge Sam? Around 2 PM, when the chess magic really flows.
• Efficient and Stylish: Wins tend to be quicker than losses — an average win lasting about 85 moves, losses stretching longer into the 92-move territory.

Recent Battle Highlights

Sam’s latest victory came courtesy of a masterful resignation from Anton Demchenko after a nail-biting Italian Game clash on May 28, 2025. The game showcased Sam’s attack prowess and positional precision, ultimately forcing the opponent to bow out gracefully.

Of course, not every day is a lucky day. A recent loss to Sanan Sjugirov demonstrated that even Grandmasters have swan dives, with a Petrov’s Defense encounter tipping the scales against Sam. But with a longest winning streak of 39 games, comebacks are always just a move away.

In Conclusion

Sam Sevian, aka Konavets, is a chess powerhouse balancing speed, style, and strategy. Whether blitzing through bullet or methodically grinding out daily victories, this grandmaster’s chess journey is one of passion, sharp tactics, and a splash of mystery — the perfect cocktail for any chess fan to admire (and maybe fear just a little).