Іван Макарук

Іван Макарук: The Relentless Tactician of the Ukrainian Chessboard

Born to confound opponents and delight chess enthusiasts, Іван Макарук (also known by the enigmatic username maynav) is a chess player who embodies the balance of gritty perseverance and crafty ingenuity. With a steady climb from humble ratings in 2018 to a blistering blitz peak of 2019 in mid-2022, Іван is a force to be reckoned with on the 64 squares.

Early Years and Style

Starting out with a modest blitz rating around 1400, Іван quickly demonstrated a knack for tactical play. His preferred openings hint at a deep love for the Reti Opening and the English Opening, with the Reti Gambit Accepted boasting a remarkable win rate above 80% in blitz games—an opening choice that might leave opponents wondering if they're battling a grandmaster or a chess ninja.

Playing Strength and Statistics

Known for his resilience, Іван's “comeback rate” stands at an impressive 83.45%, proving that losing a piece is hardly the end of the road. In fact, he manages to keep his cool better than most with a relatively low tilt factor of 7, and tactically shines by squeezing out wins even after setbacks. His average move count per win (~69) suggests he prefers long, strategic battles over quick-fire checkmates—though his recent games show he’s perfectly capable of producing a surprising checkmate out of thin air.

Notable Achievements & Peak Ratings

• Blitz Peak Rating: 2019 (2022-06)
• Bullet Peak Rating: 1976 (2021-12)
• Rapid Peak Rating: 1948 (2021-10)
• Daily Peak Rating: 1011 (2020-02)

Whether blitzing at lightning speed or plotting in slower rapid games, Іван has demonstrated consistent growth and a passion for variety. His blitz and bullet records are especially impressive with nearly as many wins as losses despite hundreds of games played—because who said winning streaks had to be long? His longest winning streak of 12 games is the envy of many.

Battle-Tested Opponents

Іван is no stranger to rivalry, having squared off more than 20 times against top opposition like zabdumalik. While the score there may be tough, his perfect 100% win rate against quite a few other adversaries speaks to his adaptability and tendency to surprise. Some players may find themselves wondering if every game against Іван is a new puzzle to solve or an invitation to a tactical fiesta.

Signature Games and Memorable Moments

His recent victory over a steadily rising star "mrvarasteh" in January 2025 was no small feat — winning by resignation in a thoughtfully methodical game crowned by a dazzling queen promotion and tactical dominance. Іван’s endgame prowess is evident in such clutch moments, showing off why he consistently scores well with the white pieces (55% win rate) but can also hold his own as black (close to 49% wins).

A Chess Biography with a Smile

Sure, Іван might resign early sometimes (though only about 4.8% of his games), but that’s only because he’s saving energy for his very next thrilling comeback! When not busy juggling knights and pawns, he’s probably busy perfecting his chess face—a look somewhere between “Did you really just blunder your queen?” and “I totally planned that.”

With a sharp mind, a flair for the dramatic gambit, and a love for the game's subtle nuances, Іван Макарук continues to carve out his name in the chess universe—one checkmate at a time.

Watch this space; this chessboard wizard’s best games are surely yet to come!