Alicja Sliwicka (aka plumalka) - Woman Grandmaster Extraordinaire
Alicja Sliwicka, proudly holding the esteemed title of Woman Grandmaster from FIDE, is no ordinary chess player. Known in the chess world as plumalka, she has navigated the dizzying complexities of chess with both grace and grit, proving time and again that pawns and queens alike must beware her strategic mind.
Rating Journey & Style
From her blitz beginnings in 2016 with a modest 1405 rating, Alicja rapidly soared to a peak of 2697 in blitz by October 2022, a rating that turns opponents green with envy. Her bullet rating maxed out at a snappy 2647 in early 2023, and she maintains a commendable rapid peak of 2221 in 2021. Whether the clock ticks mercilessly or creeps leisurely, Alicja's style adapts — boasting a phenomenal comeback rate of over 91%, she turns near-defeat into dazzling victories like a magician pulling rabbits from a hat.
Playing Personality
Fearless but never reckless, Alicja blends deep endgame expertise (engaging in the endgame in nearly 87.5% of her games) with tactical cunning. Her average game length hovers around 84 moves to win, showing patience rivaled only by grandmasters sipping their coffee while plotting a checkmate. And speaking of timing, her best performances sparkle around 10 AM — prime time for puzzles, coffee, and theatrical chess sacrifices.
Opening Repertoire & Notable Moves
Alicja favors a "Top Secret" opening repertoire in blitz and bullet (perhaps a nod to James Bond… or just a well-guarded cache of killer gambits). She’s also demonstrated a killer edge in less trodden paths like the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation and the Caro Kann Defense Advance Variation, sporting a perfect 100% win rate in those limited showings! She handles Sicilian lines with finesse and is equally comfortable carving her path through Old Benoni or French Defense variations.
Competitive Spirit & Rivalries
Battling foes across chess.com’s boards, Alicja has amassed hundreds of wins, with a competitive win/loss/draw record that keeps opponents guessing. Notably, she holds a 100% win rate against a handful of opponents, proving that for some, she’s an unstoppable force. However, she remains humble in defeat — her longest losing streak is a mere 20 games in a career filled with thousands of intense battles.
Recent Triumph & Tribulation
In one of her recent victories, Alicja clinched the win in an epic battle against ElDoctor1989 by resignation, wielding the Sicilian Defense Delayed Alapin Variation like a seasoned warrior. The game was a thrilling 25 moves, sprinkled with bold queen maneuvers and decisive attacks, ending with her opponent conceding to her superior strategy. But even titans falter — her latest loss came on time against misha_balak, reminding us chess is as much a mental marathon as a sprint.
Fun Facts & Quirks
- Her favorite time to outwit opponents is apparently at 10 AM. Early birds, watch out!
- Tilting? Alicja keeps her calm with a tilt factor of just 20, proving she’s a Zen master when the pressure mounts.
- Her games are often lengthy — patience is one of her greatest assets in grinding down opponents.
- She sometimes plays endings so long you might finish a cup of coffee while waiting for the checkmate.
In summary, Alicja Sliwicka is a formidable grandmaster who keeps her tricks close and her victories closer. Chess isn’t just a game for her — it’s a well-choreographed dance of intellect, timing, and nerves of steel. Opponents beware: whether it’s blitz, bullet, or rapid, plumalka’s next move might just be your last.