Igor Efimov - The Grandmaster of Top Secrets
Also known in the chess universe as Nikame, Igor Efimov is a Grandmaster recognized by FIDE, who dances gracefully on the chessboard like a true maestro. Specializing in rapid play, Igor's rating history tells a tale of fierce battles and thrilling comebacks. With a peak rapid rating just shy of 2510 in May 2020, he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Playing Style and Stats
Igor's games are a marathon, not a sprint — with an average of 87 moves per win and 95 per loss, it’s clear that surrender is never on the menu (early resignations? Zero!). A fan of endgames (they appear in 96% of his matches), Igor's strategic patience is legendary. However, his current losing streak of 3 might suggest he’s reconsidering that zen approach... or maybe just bad luck.
Tactically, Igor is like a superhero coming back from the brink: an impressive 83.33% comeback rate after setbacks, and a winning percentage after losing a piece sitting tightly at 43.48%. Opponents beware: when the chips are down, Nikame is just getting started.
The Openings Enigma
Igor’s most played opening is, quite mysteriously, titled "Top Secret". Over 24 rapid games, he boasts a 50% win rate here, proving that secrecy and strategy go hand in hand. His blitz encounter with "Top Secret"? Not so lucky — a single game and a loss, reminding us that even Grandmasters have an off day.
Recent Triumphs and Trials
On August 9, 2020, Igor pulled off a victory against Lemmings8192, grinding down the opposition in a tense, 49-move queen’s pawn opening battle. Victory came on time as the clock ticked out for his opponent, a true testament to steady pressure and relentless determination.
Yet, every hero faces challenges. Igor’s most recent loss came shortly after against mannequinmen in the whimsical variant Crazyhouse, showing that even the best can be caught off guard in the wild chess arenas.
Personality Snapshot
With a tilt factor of 4, Igor manages to keep his cool — generally avoiding the infamous "tilt" meltdown that plagues many online warriors. His best time to unleash his genius appears to be around 4 PM, where his win rate peaks at 100%! So don’t challenge Nikame after sundown, unless you want to face a well-rested chess beast.
Favorites and Oddities
- Winrate against opponents: Crushing victories against thor736, esskeettit, and sergeyvashchilov (all at a perfect 100%).
- Playing peak hours: 16:00 (100% wins), 17:00 (75% wins), and 9:00 to 10:00 AM (over 60%).
- Color advantage: Slightly better with White (50%) than Black (46.15%), but don’t discount the tenacity on either side.
Igor Efimov, a grandmaster with a somewhat secretive opening repertoire and a penchant for long, exhausting endgames, continues to intrigue and challenge opponents with a style that could be described as “strategic patience meets tactical resilience.” His journey is far from over, the board forever the stage of his next epic performance.