Nicholas Ilic - FIDE Master and Bullet Chess Enthusiast
Nicholas Ilic is an accomplished FIDE Master known for a rapid and tactical style, specializing particularly in the adrenaline-fueled realm of Bullet chess. With years of competitive play and an impressive peak bullet rating of 2630 achieved in June 2025, Nicholas has proven to be a formidable opponent when the clock is ticking down.
Playing Style and Strengths
Nicholas possesses a deep tactical awareness, boasting an 86% comeback effectiveness and a high win rate even after losing material – an indication of his resilience and fighting spirit. He has a penchant for early captures and long strategic battles, with an average first capture around move 6 and investing approximately 73 moves in his wins.
- Early resignation rate: just 2.83% - Nicholas doesn’t give up easily!
- Endgame focus: strong in endgames, featuring in 81.15% of his games
- Balanced color success, with White wins near 50% and Black wins above 46%
- Thrives particularly at 8 PM – his best time of day to play!
Opening Repertoire
Nicholas is a fan of somewhat less trodden paths along with classical defenses, mixing creativity with practical fightability. Highlights include:
- Van't Kruijs Opening – with a commendable 63.9% win rate in bullet games
- Owen Defense – another crowd pleaser with a 63.8% win rate
- Benoni and Caro-Kann Defenses – solid, classical choices with winning records
- Ventures into the Vicissitudes of the Smith-Morra Gambit and Modern Defense
Performance Highlights
Among thousands of games played, Nicholas holds a bullet record of 2194 wins against 2275 losses and nearly 200 draws—showing the brutal honesty of bullet chess where fortunes can flip in seconds. His blitz and rapid records are equally respectable, emphasizing versatility across faster time controls.
He enjoys competitive matches against various opponents, including his top frequent foes, with some rivalries showcasing win percentages well over 70%.
Fun Facts & Personality
Nicholas is not just about the relentless ticking clock; his strategic games can stretch over 80 moves, showing a blend of patience and precision seldom seen in bullet aficionados. His games often begin with trusty 1.e4, signaling a penchant for open, dynamic play.
With a tilt factor of 21, even a tough loss doesn’t keep him down for long — he’s back at the board sharp and ready to blitz!
Summary
Nicholas Ilic has etched his name in the fast-paced play worlds of bullet and blitz chess with tactical acumen and spirited resilience. Whether darting through sharp openings or grinding deep endgames, his FIDE Master title is well-deserved, and his growth continues as he balances speed with strategy at the highest online levels.