Arun Sharma (aka Lalu) - National Master Extraordinaire
Arun Sharma, known to the online chess world as "Lalu," proudly holds the prestigious title of National Master. With a chess career spanning over a decade, Lalu has dazzled opponents and spectators alike with a blend of tactical wizardry, strategic depth, and an uncanny flair for the dramatic—sometimes resigning early, sometimes pulling off jaw-dropping comebacks.
Born to challenge the status quo, Lalu’s bullet rating soared to an astonishing peak of 2837 in March 2021, proving that speed and accuracy are a deadly combo in their hands. Blitz skills are nothing to sneeze at either, with a peak rating just shy of 2510. Rapid? Let’s just say Lalu keeps it casual there, maxing out at 1600, perhaps saving energy for the faster, flashier battles.
Style and Strengths
Lalu’s playing style is a rollercoaster of emotions with a tilt factor of 10 — meaning even under pressure, the player stays (mostly) cool. An impressive 75.6% comeback rate shows Lalu doesn’t just give up when losing material; instead, they fight back with impressive resourcefulness. White pieces shine brighter, boasting a win rate near 64%, while black holds a respectable 59% win rate.
Don’t blink when they’re playing the Queens Gambit Declined Exchange Positional Line or the Reti Opening Sicilian Invitation—Lalu’s win rates in these favorite openings hover above 60%, sometimes nudging close to 74%. Expect a complex battle filled with cunning traps and positional finesse.
Career Highlights & Anecdotes
- Over 1,700 games played in bullet and blitz combined, with over 1,100 wins in bullet alone. Not bad for someone who once jokingly confessed to "playing pieces faster than thinking sometimes."
- Longest unbeaten streak? A deadly 19 games, proving Lalu’s not just a speedster but a survivalist.
- Most recent victory came in a quirky game where a king moved to f2 by move 3, reminding us all that Lalu's playstyle includes a mix of unorthodox creativity and sheer unpredictability. If you've ever wondered how to confuse your opponent before the opening book finishes loading, Lalu has shown how it's done.
Fun Facts
- Prefers morning play: Lalu wins the most when the clock strikes 12:00, possibly fueled by coffee and fresh tactics.
- Likes to keep opponents guessing with openings ranging from Slav Defense variants to the nimble Kings Indian Defense Samisch Gambit.
- Has a soft spot for games ending on timeouts, winning over 350 such battles; maybe because who needs checkmate when you have the clock on your side?
In summary, Arun "Lalu" Sharma is a chess player who combines speed, skill, and a hint of mischief to keep the chessboard exciting. National Master by title, speed demon by heart, and a puzzle even to themselves sometimes—watch this space, because the game is never quite over when Lalu is on the board.
For a taste of Lalu’s style, check out one of the latest games: Lalu vs Naycir, 2021, a thrilling match where time was the ultimate adversary for the opponent.
