Veronika Shubenkova (aka Lady_Nika)
Woman FIDE Master and Bullet Blitz Queen
Veronika Shubenkova, fondly known in the chess world as Lady_Nika, is a formidable Woman FIDE Master who has turned the online chessboard into her personal battlefield. With a peak bullet rating soaring to an impressive 2714 in April 2025, Veronika has proven time and again that she’s not just fast – she’s lightning fast.
Since 2020, Lady_Nika has been thrilling opponents across different time controls, especially shining in speedy bullet and blitz formats where her intricate knowledge of openings and dynamic playstyle shine brightest. Her favorite playground is the bullet arena where she mastered sneaky ambushes and jaw-dropping checkmates, like the recent 22-move checkmate victory on Chess.com that left her opponent gasping for air.
Style & Strengths
- Average game length: Lady_Nika loves a good marathon (around 79 moves to win) but certainly doesn’t shy from quick strikes.
- Comebacks: With a 89% comeback rate after setbacks, giving up is simply not in her vocabulary.
- Endgame wizardry: Plays deeply with an 86% frequency of fighting through the endgame.
- Opening savvy: A mysterious “Top Secret” repertoire keeps her opponents on their toes, but she also flexes solid lines like the Queen’s Pawn and Indian Game with notable success.
Veronika’s preference for classic lines like the French Defense and Queen’s Pawn mirrors her strategic mindset – patient, precise, and deadly. But don’t be fooled: when the moment calls for it, she strikes with the unexpected, catching even grandmasters off guard.
Recent Battles on the Virtual Board
Her latest games tell tales of thrilling victories by checkmate and hard-fought battles. Notably, a dazzling bullet win in June 2025 showcased her killer instinct, finishing the game with a precise checkmate after a complex middle game. Losses do occur, and when they do, they only fuel her fire to come back stronger.
Fun Facts
- Best time to challenge her? According to the stats, 4 AM is when Lady_Nika is most dialed in — watch out for those sleepy headshots!
- White pieces or Black? She’s got a slight edge with White (47% win rate), but don’t underestimate her Black games (43% wins) – she plays like a queen defending her territory.
- Psychological resilience? Her tilt factor stands modestly at 18%, meaning she keeps her cool even when the heat is on.
With thousands of games and hundreds of wins under her belt, Veronika Shubenkova continues to be a rising star in the fast-and-furious arena of online chess. Whether bullet, blitz, or daily, she plays with heart, humor, and a hint of mystery — a true chess czarina of our times.