Richard Rapport - The Chess Grandmaster with a Flair for the Unexpected
Known in the chess world as Lordillidan, Richard Rapport is no ordinary Grandmaster — he’s a creative tornado on the 64 squares, capable of turning the most mundane opening into a gallery-worthy spectacle. Awarded the prestigious Grandmaster title by FIDE, Rapport has dazzled fans and confounded opponents with his unorthodox style and tactical wizardry.
Rating & Records
With peak ratings soaring as high as 3097 in Blitz and a Bullet high of 3062, Rapport has demonstrated lightning-fast reflexes and unparalleled strategic depth. A blitz and bullet specialist, he commands the board with impressive win rates — boasting over 66% wins in Bullet games with Unknown Openings, proving that sometimes, mystery really is a player's best friend.
Playing Style
Forget boring, predictable moves — Rapport thrives in chaos. He excels at endgames, playing well past the average number of moves with patience and prowess. His games average around 77 moves per win, meaning he’s not just about quick kills but long strategic battles. Despite the intensity, his early resignation rate is a modest 0.76%, showing he rarely gives up and fights until the last piece falls.
Tactics & Psychology
Not just a tactician but a comeback king, Rapport has an impressive 84.5% comeback rate — if you think you’ve broken his spirit by snatching a piece, think again. He turns adversity into opportunity more often than most. However, even grandmasters are human: a tilt factor of 9 hints he’s got his temperament moments — but hey, who doesn’t?
Memorable Moments
March 2025 saw Rapport sweeping a Chess960 game against a formidable opponent, finishing with a resignation victory after a complex battle filled with bold knight maneuvers and queen-side play. His mix of unconventional openings labeled humorously as "Top Secret" perfectly describes his penchant for surprising tactics that keep opponents guessing.
Fun Facts
- Longest winning streak: 54 games — proof that when he’s on a roll, the chessboard might as well be on fire.
- His best time of day to play? Around 5 AM, when the world’s asleep and his brain is wide awake, cooking up brilliance.
- Uses openings so "unknown" they practically need their own secret files — but somehow, he still wins over half of those games.
In Summary
Richard Rapport, aka Lordillidan, is a chess player who embodies creativity, resilience, and a bit of delightful madness. He’s not just playing the game; he’s rewriting its rules, one unpredictable move at a time. If chess was rock ‘n’ roll, Richard would be the wild guitar solo you never forget.
