Andre de Camargo Almeida (PandazChess)
Andre de Camargo Almeida, better known in the online chess arenas as PandazChess, is a player with a rollercoaster rating journey that could outshine any thriller movie plot. Starting his climb back in 2015 with a modest rapid rating hovering around 1300, Andre has methodically battled his way up to an impressive peak rapid rating of 2381 as of May 2025. Not to be pigeonholed, his blitz and bullet ratings are equally fearsome, maxing out at 2602 and 2537 respectively – making him a serious force in both the lightning-fast and classical time controls.
Career Highlights & Playing Style
Andre's style is a fascinating blend of patience and psychological endurance. With an average moves per win of nearly 80 in rapid games, it's clear he loves a good-long battle, slowly squeezing opponents dry with tactical precision. His knack for comebacks is staggering with a 84.6% comeback rate after losing a piece – proving he’s not just resilient, he’s downright pesky for his foes.
Despite a 17 tilt factor (yes, even panda-chess masters get frustrated), Andre manages to keep his cool and shine brightest at 5 PM, the prime time for his best battles. Fun fact: he resigns early only a little under 2% of the time, which means he’s a fighter who refuses to surrender unless absolutely necessary.
Opening Choices
Ever the enigma, Andre’s “Top Secret” opening repertoire dominates his games with a >50% win rate in rapid, blitz, bullet, and daily formats. However, he’s no one-trick panda – he sprinkles in variations like the Sicilian Defense, French Defense Tarrasch, London System, and the Giuoco Piano, keeping opponents guessing and guessing wrong.
Recent Encounters
Andre’s most recent victory was a dazzling display using the Queen's Gambit Declined, showcasing his deep understanding of complex positions and knack for capitalizing on small mistakes. While he occasionally stumbles (his longest losing streak once lasted 17 games), Andre’s overall win-to-loss record proudly boasts over 1,274 wins in rapid and nearly 9,600 combined wins in blitz and bullet formats.
Fun Facts
- The panda-themed username reflects his calm yet cunning approach – rare moments of chill, then BAM! A surprise chess maul.
- Andre is a bit of a chess time traveler, with ratings jumping impressively through the years, as though fueled by an espresso machine running on pure focus.
- Loves the endgame so much, it shows up in nearly 77% of his games – probably because progessing from ‘panda cub’ to ‘chess grandmaster’ requires ninja-like endgame skills.
- Once won 20 games in a row – quite the streak, proving legends never lose form for long.
Summary
To sum it up, Andre de Camargo Almeida is not just your everyday chess enthusiast; he's a battler with the persistence of a panda snack-hunting in a bamboo forest and the strategic mind of a seasoned grandmaster. Whether blitzing his rivals or grinding out slow, deliberate wins in rapid chess, PandazChess continues to make waves and climb the ranks with style and a bit of humor.