Avatar of Nitzan Steinberg

Nitzan Steinberg GM

Username: Nitzan_Steinberg

Location: Haifa

Playing Since: 2016-05-31 (Active)

Wow Factor: ♟♟♟♟♟♟

Chess.com

Daily: 1478
9W / 1L / 0D
Rapid: 2504
47W / 21L / 13D
Blitz: 3001
2892W / 1677L / 568D
Bullet: 3098
2630W / 1443L / 290D

Nitzan Steinberg - Grandmaster of the 64 Squares

Nitzan Steinberg is not just a chess player; they are a chess force of nature, wielding the noble title of Grandmaster awarded by FIDE. With a brain wired for strategy and a penchant for quick thinking, Nitzan has scaled the dizzying heights of bullet chess, recently peaking with an astonishing rating of 3055 in March 2025 — yes, 3055. If that sounds like wizardry, you're not wrong.

Playing Style and Strengths

Known for battling fiercely in bullet and blitz formats, Nitzan boasts a bullet game win rate of over 60%, winning more than 2500 games and demonstrating both tactical brilliance and psychological resilience. Their average moves per win hover around 79, proving that they prefer the art of a well-fought tactical battle over a quick checkmate... although they’ve delivered many swift finishes too!

With a tendency to keep games lengthy and rich—endgames feature heavily in their repertoire—they possess an impressive comeback rate of over 86%, meaning when the chips are down, Nitzan is just getting started. The psychological tilt factor sits comfortably low at 8, suggesting nerves of steel (or at the very least, excellent coffee).

Signature Openings & Tactical Flair

Nitzan favors the mysterious and deadly Top Secret opening in both bullet and blitz games—an opening so secretive even chess engines might blush—with a solid 61% win rate in bullet and 57% in blitz. The Sicilian Defense (in many thrilling variations) rounds out their arsenal with near-perfect win statistics, including a 100% win rate in the Open Najdorf and the French Defense Exchange Variation. Opponents beware: Nitzan’s opening play is a blend of classic theory and modern ingenuity.

Notable Achievements & Records

  • Peak ratings: Bullet 3055, Blitz 2983, Rapid 2542, Daily 1473.
  • Longest winning streak: 56 consecutive victories — a dizzying feat that leaves chess enthusiasts asking if time itself slows down at the board.
  • More wins than losses by a factor of almost 2:1 in bullet and blitz combined.

Fun Facts & Trivia

While Nitzan attacks the board with relentless zeal, their best time of day to play, according to stats, is at an unusual hour: 2 AM. Apparently, the moonlight is their secret coach, whispering bold moves into their ear when others are deep in slumber.

Also, they don't mind drawing a game here and there—they've embraced the art of the stalemate with 42 games ending in that very peaceful conclusion (because even warriors appreciate a break).

Recent Battles

In their most recent conquests, Nitzan has outfoxed opponents with classic Sicilian Defense maneuvers, defending with aplomb and capitalizing on time-pressure to clinch victories. Even when the chips fall against them, losses have often come on time, suggesting that the clock can sometimes be a tougher adversary than any opponent.

Overall

Nitzan Steinberg’s chess journey is a thrilling saga of rapid calculation, strategic depth, and unyielding tenacity. Whether you're a fan, a fellow competitor, or a curious onlooker, one thing is clear: Nitzan’s name will continue to echo around chessboards for years to come, matched only by the sound of a ticking clock and the crisp snap of a pawn advancing.


Coach's Avatar

General Performance Overview

Nitzan, your recent blitz games show both your strong ability to close out games and some areas where you can sharpen your technique. Over the last month, your rating has decreased by 20 points, but the positive trend slope in the last month and six months indicates resilience and potential for growth.

Notably, your strength-adjusted win rate is close to 50%, indicating that you are competitive at your level and fully capable of taking advantage of your opponents' mistakes.

Strengths

  • You demonstrate strong endgame technique, often converting advantageous positions into wins, as seen in games where you deliver checkmate decisively.
  • Good opening knowledge is reflected in your consistent use of tried and tested lines like the French Defense Tarrasch and Sicilian Defense variations.
  • Your ability to capitalize on tactical opportunities, such as decisive exchanges and pressure on key squares, is a key factor in your victories.
  • Maintaining composure under time pressure, frequently winning on time or forcing resignations, shows effective time management and nerves.

Areas for Improvement

  • Handling Complex Middlegame Positions: Some losses show challenges in defending against opponents' active plans (for example, games against players rated around 2900 demonstrated difficulties breaking down your position). Focusing on improving calculation in complicated middlegames could boost your resilience.
  • Avoiding Material Losses in the Late Middlegame: A few games reveal critical material losses or positional concessions that turn the game. Working on recognizing and preventing tactical threats during time scramble is important.
  • Drawing Tough Positions: While you convert advantages well, consider practicing techniques to secure draws in slightly worse positions to maximize your overall points.
  • Opening Variability and Preparation: Deepening your repertoire and playing less common but sound lines might catch opponents off guard and provide you with easier middle games.

Suggestions for Your Training

  • Middlegame Tactics and Calculation Training: Use puzzles and training tools focusing on complex and defensive situations to build confidence in tough positions.
  • Endgame Drills: Continue polishing king and pawn endgames and common checkmating patterns for blitz speed advantage.
  • Opening Review: Analyze your recent games in your main openings (French Defense Tarrasch, Sicilian Defense) to spot recurring patterns in your wins and losses. Explore related sidelines for greater surprise value.
  • Time Management: Keep practicing quick yet accurate decision-making in blitz to maintain a high pace without compromising accuracy.

Encouragement

Although your rating has dipped in the short term, the longer-term upward trend and your recent wins show your strong foundation and skill. With focused work on identified areas, you're well positioned to return to your peak and continue climbing.

Keep studying your games thoroughly, build on the positives, and treat each game as an opportunity to learn and grow.



🆚 Opponent Insights

Recent Opponents
Benjamin Bok 1W / 6L / 2D
Michał Kopczyński 1W / 0L / 0D
Alexandros Papasimakopoulos 3W / 3L / 0D
Bence Pribelszky 2W / 0L / 0D
Mahammad Muradli 2W / 3L / 0D
Kacper Drozdowski 4W / 4L / 1D
Piotr Piesik 2W / 0L / 0D
matihalac 1W / 0L / 0D
qwerty_cool_123 0W / 1L / 0D
Ihor Samunenkov 1W / 1L / 1D
Most Played Opponents
Anatoly Bykhovsky 27W / 21L / 3D
Johnathan Bakalchuk 19W / 20L / 8D
Manu David 30W / 16L / 1D
Elie Milikow 21W / 18L / 3D
Zdenko Kozul 25W / 13L / 1D

Rating

Year Bullet Blitz Rapid Daily
2025 3050 3013 2504 1478
2024 3002 2905 2479 1473
2023 2901 2865 2467 1427
2022 2860 2872 2409 1408
2021 2895 2816 2294 1060
2020 2880 2864 2410
2019 2805 2853
2018 2643 2736
2016 2212 2335 1060
Rating by Year20162018201920202021202220232024202530501060YearRatingBulletBlitzRapidDaily

Stats by Year

Year White Black Moves
2025 601W / 207L / 64D 594W / 256L / 54D 83.4
2024 653W / 247L / 50D 554W / 328L / 75D 83.9
2023 430W / 168L / 75D 359W / 245L / 64D 87.6
2022 340W / 156L / 64D 317W / 185L / 56D 88.4
2021 169W / 90L / 31D 153W / 98L / 32D 87.4
2020 313W / 194L / 66D 316W / 226L / 55D 87.2
2019 492W / 303L / 78D 440W / 324L / 77D 84.2
2018 134W / 56L / 18D 113W / 70L / 20D 83.0
2016 33W / 2L / 0D 28W / 5L / 0D 67.9

Openings: Most Played

Blitz Opening Games Wins Losses Draws Win Rate
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation 303 182 94 27 60.1%
Caro-Kann Defense 194 106 71 17 54.6%
Modern 194 111 57 26 57.2%
Sicilian Defense 131 78 43 10 59.5%
Amazon Attack: Siberian Attack 127 68 45 14 53.5%
Hungarian Opening: Wiedenhagen-Beta Gambit 122 71 34 17 58.2%
Sicilian Defense: Closed 100 57 33 10 57.0%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit 85 43 30 12 50.6%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation 80 37 30 13 46.2%
Döry Defense 77 44 29 4 57.1%
Rapid Opening Games Wins Losses Draws Win Rate
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation 8 4 4 0 50.0%
Amazon Attack 6 3 2 1 50.0%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation 6 5 1 0 83.3%
Ruy Lopez: Closed 5 3 0 2 60.0%
French Defense: Exchange Variation 4 3 0 1 75.0%
Petrov's Defense 4 4 0 0 100.0%
Sicilian Defense 4 1 1 2 25.0%
Sicilian Defense: Closed 3 1 2 0 33.3%
Hungarian Opening: Wiedenhagen-Beta Gambit 3 3 0 0 100.0%
QGD: 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.e3 c6 6.Nf3 3 1 2 0 33.3%
Bullet Opening Games Wins Losses Draws Win Rate
Caro-Kann Defense 199 129 56 14 64.8%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation 195 130 55 10 66.7%
Sicilian Defense 193 122 67 4 63.2%
Sicilian Defense: Closed 162 87 62 13 53.7%
Modern 151 89 54 8 58.9%
French Defense: Exchange Variation 140 89 40 11 63.6%
Scandinavian Defense 133 81 42 10 60.9%
Hungarian Opening: Wiedenhagen-Beta Gambit 107 66 29 12 61.7%
Amazon Attack: Siberian Attack 98 57 38 3 58.2%
Amar Gambit 81 47 28 6 58.0%

🔥 Streaks

Streak Longest Current
Winning 56 2
Losing 8 0