Jason Shi (mathapples) - FIDE Master and Blitz Virtuoso
Jason Shi, known in the online chess realm as mathapples, proudly bears the title of FIDE Master, a testament to their deep understanding of the 64 squares and complex tactics that make chess both a science and an art.
With a peak blitz rating soaring to 2481 in April 2021, Jason is no stranger to lightning-fast decision-making. Their blitz games showcase not only speed but a remarkable tactical awareness, boasting a comeback rate of nearly 85% — a clear sign they don’t give up easily, even after losing a piece. In fact, their win rate after losing material stays just above 52%, proving resilience is as much a piece of their style as their favorite openings.
Jason’s favorite playground seems to be the blitz arena, having played over 1,800 games there with a respectable winning rate above 55% in the mysterious “Unknown Opening” category — possibly because their opening strategy strikes fear through unpredictability as they shuffle through their secret arsenal. Not to mention their longest winning streak of 28 games, which surely kept their opponents wondering if they had stumbled into a chess robot’s lair.
Despite the high-paced chaos of rapid and bullet games, Jason holds their own with peak Rapid and Bullet ratings of 2436 and 2021 respectively, balancing speed with finesse. Their average game length suggests a tendency to take battles deep into the endgame, where their endgame frequency of almost 84% hints at a patient and strategic mindset—waiting to outmaneuver opponents long after opening fireworks have settled.
Psychologically, Jason deals with tilt as gracefully as anyone can with a tilt factor of 9 out of 100 — still human, but rarely rattled. The perfect hour for their best moves? 11 AM — the time to set your alarm if you want to challenge them! And if you’re aiming to break their rhythms, beware: they have a current winning streak of 7 games, and counting.
Memorable Moment: Checkmate to Seal the Deal
One of Jason's most glorious finishes came in a recent Live Chess event where they brilliantly executed a mating net after only 26 moves. The climax? A sleek Rbe7# checkmate, showcasing their knack for swift and elegant victories. For those curious, the game featured a Queen's Gambit Declined with the Chigorin flavor — chess poetry in motion!
Playing Style at a Glance
- Wins more often with White: 56.5%
- Wins with Black: 53.3%
- Average moves per win: ~73 moves - a marathoner on the board
- Not a quitter: Early resignation rate just 0.42%
- Wins more vs lower rated opponents: 67.7%, and holds own against equals
Whether blitzing out pre-moves or grinding down opponents in patient endgames, Jason Shi is a force on the board: adaptable, crafty, and always ready to move those pawns like the math-savvy apple fanatic they are.