Catalin Navrotescu - International Master (livec)
Hailing from the complex battlefields of online arenas, Catalin Navrotescu, better known by his username livec, has carved a distinct path in the world of chess. Awarded the prestigious title of International Master by FIDE, Catalin’s journey is nothing short of inspiring — and sprinkled with a healthy dose of blitz brilliance.
Playing Style & Strengths
Catalin is a tactician with an eye for late-game fireworks and grinds out victories with an average of approximately 72 moves per win, proving that patience is a virtue (or maybe just stubbornness). His comeback rate is a staggering 87.7%, turning potentially lost battles into miniature masterpieces of resilience. With a White win rate hovering around 60.58% and a respectable 52.1% playing Black, Catalin’s adaptability never fails to impress.
Signature Stats & Records
- Peak Blitz Rating: 2413 (July 2020) — fast fingers meet razor-sharp mind.
- Peak Bullet Rating: 2271 (May 2020) — lightning decisions, no time to blink.
- Overall Blitz Win Rate: Approximately 53.5% over more than 760 games.
- Longest Winning Streak: An impressive 17 consecutive victories — even winning streaks need a fan club.
- Opening of Choice in Blitz: Mysteriously labeled as “Top Secret” — clearly a strategy that keeps opponents guessing (and sweating).
- Endgame Enthusiast: Catalin reaches endgames in over 78% of his matches — a zone where patience and precision are king.
- Tilt Factor: At a modest 7, it’s clear Catalin keeps his cool, even when the pieces don’t cooperate.
Daily Battle Rhythm
Whilst many players lag, Catalin shines brightest around noon, clocking an impressive 74% win rate at 12 PM. When the clock strikes Friday, don’t be surprised if he’s on a hot streak, boasting a near 61% win rate. Morning warriors beware: by 11 AM, the win rate dips to a humble 37.5% — perhaps that’s when Catalin’s grabbing coffee.
Recent Chess Feats
One of Catalin’s most memorable victories unfolded on March 11, 2021, against opponent hthtun, where he stylishly delivered checkmate after a well-fought strategic duel in the Indian Game: Tartakower Attack. It was a display that combined tactical mastery and relentless pressure — true material for the highlight reels.
Where to Watch or Challenge
Follow Catalin under livec on Chess.com to witness a blend of grit and wit on the 64 squares. Expect battles marked by endurance, clever piece play, and just enough suspense to keep everyone on the edge of their seat.
Chess Personality
Not just a force on the board, Catalin’s analytical approach and impressive comeback skills suggest a mind that refuses to quit. Whether crushing openings with unorthodox “Top Secret” strategies, or navigating nail-biting endgames, livec personifies the ideal chess warrior: resilient, creative, and ever so slightly mysterious. One can only imagine the tales Catalin could tell, both from his toughest losses and hardest-won victories.
Hi Catalin, here’s some focused feedback to help you climb to the next level!
Your Competitive Edge
- Opening range & flexibility — You comfortably handle the English/Indian setups with g3, the Leningrad Dutch, and the Nimzo-Larsen, keeping opponents guessing.
- Dynamic pawn play — The breaks …e5 (Dutch) and d5/e4 (with White) are timed well and often seize the initiative.
- Clock management — Even in sharp lines you keep 20–30 s in reserve, letting you convert winning positions convincingly.
Growth Areas
- Staunton Gambit handling (Dutch)
Accepting the pawn is fine, but in your recent loss to Srecko Tosic you missed the critical …d6xd5 strike, leaving the king in the centre.
Key sequence:. - Piece coordination in simplified positions
In several losses (e.g. vs Ekrem Koso) your pieces became split on both wings after early pawn pushes. Train “piece harmony” drills and ask, “Which piece is not working right now?” before every move. - Endgame conversion vs. stubborn defence
When you’re up material the technique is usually clean, but in a few games the win slipped when rooks became passive. Revisit classic rook-endgame endings to sharpen the instinct for: active rook + king, passed pawn creation, and cutting-off the enemy king.
Action Plan for the Next 30 Days
| Focus | Daily Drill | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Staunton Dutch | Analyse 5 GM games; play 10 rapid sparring games starting from move 4 as Black. | Score >60 % and feel comfortable by move 10. |
| Piece Harmony | 15 min of “Find the worst placed piece” puzzles. | Instantly spot uncoordinated pieces during blitz. |
| Rook Endgames | 3 key positions from Silman’s Endgame Course with engine check. | No endgame wins left on the table. |
Quick Stats & Trends
- Peak Blitz rating: 2413 (2020-07-08)
- When you play between 21:00–23:00 your win-rate spikes: .
- Your Sunday performance is noticeably lower than weekday average: .
Key Concept Refresher
• Review weak-square complexes after …f5 in the Dutch (especially e6/d5) → see light-square strategy.
• In the English setups, remember the Maroczy bind-style clamp with c4 + e4 against …c5 breaks to restrict counterplay.
• Keep an eye on conversion technique: trade into winning endings only when the resulting position is simple, not merely “better”.
Final Encouragement
Your tactical eye and breadth of openings already put you in the top tier of online blitz. By tightening up the Dutch sidelines and polishing endgame fundamentals, 2400+ will be well within reach. Enjoy the journey and good luck at the board!
🆚 Opponent Insights
| Most Played Opponents | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dnk67 | 4W / 6L / 1D | |
| igorekt | 7W / 4L / 0D | |
| kzirt | 5W / 6L / 0D | |
| dreng | 3W / 7L / 0D | |
| Tom Borvander | 3W / 4L / 2D | |
Rating
| Year | Bullet | Blitz | Rapid | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2343 | |||
| 2020 | 2227 | 2336 | ||
| 2013 | 1368 |
Stats by Year
| Year | White | Black | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7W / 3L / 1D | 4W / 4L / 0D | 67.0 |
| 2020 | 370W / 198L / 44D | 318W / 250L / 42D | 73.8 |
| 2013 | 1W / 0L / 0D | 0W / 0L / 0D | 55.0 |
Openings: Most Played
| Blitz Opening | Games | Wins | Losses | Draws | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Defense | 72 | 42 | 22 | 8 | 58.3% |
| Dutch Defense | 57 | 34 | 19 | 4 | 59.6% |
| Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation | 52 | 24 | 24 | 4 | 46.1% |
| Nimzo-Larsen Attack | 37 | 21 | 12 | 4 | 56.8% |
| Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon | 35 | 22 | 11 | 2 | 62.9% |
| Amazon Attack: Siberian Attack | 31 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 41.9% |
| Sicilian Defense: Closed | 22 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 36.4% |
| Amazon Attack | 21 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 57.1% |
| Döry Defense | 21 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 66.7% |
| Modern | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 66.7% |
| Bullet Opening | Games | Wins | Losses | Draws | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Defense | 67 | 41 | 24 | 2 | 61.2% |
| Australian Defense | 48 | 29 | 16 | 3 | 60.4% |
| Modern | 44 | 25 | 19 | 0 | 56.8% |
| Modern Defense | 39 | 22 | 16 | 1 | 56.4% |
| Amazon Attack: Siberian Attack | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 60.0% |
| Amar Gambit | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 63.2% |
| Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 55.6% |
| Slav Defense: Bonet Gambit | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 70.6% |
| Catalan Opening: Closed | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 56.2% |
| London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 64.3% |
| Rapid Opening | Games | Wins | Losses | Draws | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
🔥 Streaks
| Streak | Longest | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Winning | 17 | 0 |
| Losing | 7 | 2 |