Avatar of Sylvester Urban

Sylvester Urban FM

octopus_assassin Since 2022 (Inactive) Chess.com ♟
51.6%- 41.2%- 7.2%
Bullet 2406
899W 799L 126D
Blitz 2330
804W 591L 109D
Rapid 2338
153W 112L 29D
Daily 2039
25W 0L 0D

Overview

Sylvester Urban is a witty and relentless FIDE Master who prefers the steady tension of Rapid chess. Online and over the board he blends deep endgame technique with a flair for surprise tactics. Fans may also know him by his handle octopus_assassin when the position calls for many arms and even more threats.

Over recent seasons Sylvester has shown a remarkable ability to convert long games into wins and to recover from difficult positions. For a compact view of his Rapid rating curve see this chart:

Rapid Rating234823252301227722532022: 22632023: 233820222023

Playing Style

Sylvester's chess looks like a slow-burning thriller. He favors long middlegames, extensive endgame work, and an appetite for deep calculation. Key traits:

  • Endgame-oriented with a high endgame frequency and lengthy decisive games.
  • Tactical resilience with a comeback rate over 80 percent.
  • Preferred time control: Rapid, though he is highly dangerous in Blitz and Bullet.
  • Peak performance window often aligns with evening hours around 19:00.

Openings and Repertoire

Sylvester is eclectic and well prepared. He enjoys positions that give both strategic depth and tactical chances.

  • As White: strong results with the Reti and QGD systems. R\u00E9ti Opening
  • As Black: a frequent adopter of the Sicilian Defense and related counterattacking setups. Sicilian Defense
  • Regular surprise weapons include the Amazon Attack and the Australian Defense, used to steer opponents into unfamiliar lines. Amazon Attack Australian Defense
  • Rapid specialties include the Gruenfeld and Slav Bonet Gambit with very healthy conversion rates.

Career Highlights

  • Title: FIDE Master, reflecting consistent international strength.
  • Notable milestone: 2399 (2022-08-14) — a highlight in his preferred time control.
  • Blitz peak and sustained high-level online performance across multiple months.
  • Impressive streaks, including a longest winning run of 18 games.
  • Dominant record versus frequent opponent jennpassant with many decisive encounters.

Example Game (Replay)

Here is a short, clean Rapid-style game that shows Sylvester's mix of strategic play and timely tactics. Use the viewer to replay the moves.

Fun Facts & Personality

  • Handle: "octopus_assassin" — fitting for a player who seems to control many tactical threads at once.
  • Average first capture is around move 6, but decisive action often arrives much later.
  • Enjoys unconventional gambits and rarer sidelines to unsettle opponents.
  • Resigns rarely and grudgingly. When he does, it might be due to running out of coffee rather than losing hope.

How to Follow

For a quick snapshot of Sylvester's form check the Rapid chart above. Study his Sicilian and QGD games to see his typical middlegame plans. Useful starting points:

🐞 Report a Problem