Lars Idar Plathe

Lars Idar Plathe (aka laplagam)

Meet Lars Idar Plathe, a chess enthusiast whose journey through the 64 squares is a tale of perseverance, ups, downs, and the occasional surprising checkmate trick. While not yet storming the ranks of grandmasters, Lars has carved out a respectable niche in the online chess world with a style marked by patience, tactical resilience, and a hint of mystery—mostly regarding why his bullet rating occasionally resembles a roller coaster on a sugar high.

Playing Profile

Lars is a versatile player dabbling across all time controls: Bullet, Blitz, Rapid, and Daily. His rapid play shines brightest, boasting a peak rating of 1480 in early 2024, while his daily chess pinnacle reached an impressive 1901 in November 2023. Fast and furious in bullet, steady in blitz, and strategic in rapid—a true all-rounder who can orchestrate a killer plan or scramble out of dumpster fire situations with an 82.5% comeback rate.

Opening Repertoire

Lars’s opening choices reveal a fondness for classical and flexible systems, with a particular love for the Bird's Opening and the Giuoco Piano. He has played nearly 200 games in Giuoco Piano, starring with a solid win rate near 57%. The Birds’ charm has also locked in, especially in bullet and blitz, keeping opponents guessing and occasionally baffled. When feeling extra crafty, he ventures into the complexities of the Reti Opening Tennison Gambit—proving he’s not afraid to ruffle some feathers.

Tactical and Psychological Style

Lars’s chess is a blend of resilience and pragmatism. His games tend to be a tactical tug-of-war, escaping losing positions with surprising regularity thanks to a commendable 82.5% comeback rate. He’s no stranger to long endgames, averaging about 62 moves per win and demonstrating stamina that could rival a marathon runner locked in a thinking spot.

Fun fact: despite the many battles on the clock, Lars concedes early in less than 1% of his games—quitters never win, and winners rarely quit, they say! His tilt factor is moderate, ensuring he stays mostly calm, although a few losses in a row may temporarily ruffle his feathers (lucky for viewers, it’s rarely more than 15 consecutive defeats).

Recent Highlights

His latest games tell tales of grit and determination:

• Victory with a sharp Bird’s Opening, showcasing a spectacular rook invasion and forcing a resignation in a swift 18 moves.
• A checkmate finish in a sophisticated queen-and-rook endgame demonstrates Lars’ keen eye for swift tactical shots.
• A tough loss by checkmate but followed by immediate bounce-back wins proving not even a setback can keep him down for long.

Statistics Snapshot

• Total recorded wins: 8,891 across all formats.
• Blitz and bullet ratings: Hover around 1100–1300, reflecting steady skill and constant hone sharpening.
• Preferred time to play: Early mornings at 6:00 AM, suggesting some secret caffeine-fueled genius at dawn.
• Playing tendency: Slightly better with White (48.5% win rate) but still well-balanced with Black (47.6%).
• Longest winning streak: A cheeky 13 victories—clearly a force when in the zone.

In Summary

Lars Idar Plathe isn't your stereotypical chess prodigy; he’s the persistent, quietly competent online warrior who loves gritty battles and clever strategy, sometimes tripping over his own tactics but always ready for another game. Whether blitzing or pondering daily affairs, "laplagam" equips his pieces for a thoughtful fight—after all, chess is a marathon, not just a sprint. Watch out world, this player's just getting started!

Ready for a match? Just remember: if you hear someone sigh midgame, it might just be Lars setting another trap!