Pavel Potapov GM

Pavel Potapov

Grandmaster Extraordinaire and Tactical Wizard

Pavel Potapov — or as the chess world affectionately knows him, potap1923 — is no ordinary chess player. Holding the coveted Grandmaster title from FIDE, Pavel doesn’t just play chess; he stages epic battles on 64 black and white squares with a flair that would make even Bobby Fischer nod in approval.

Pavel’s specialty might just be speed chess. In bullet games, he dazzles opponents with lightning-fast moves and razor-sharp tactics, boasting a peak rating of 2344 achieved in January 2024, with an astonishing 93.6% win rate in his top-secret opening repertoire. Blitz is no less his playground, peaking at an impressive 2420 rating in late 2023, where he combines speed with precision and a surprising dose of cheeky creativity.

His style? Oh, it’s a delightful paradox. Pavel is a tempest of energy in the opening and middlegame, often choosing to resign early only 80% of the time when things get sticky (which is just shy of a resigned chess artist's call!). Yet, when he wields the endgame, almost half of his games see him grinding down opponents with an average of nearly 49 moves to victory — a true endurance test for the faint-hearted.

Speaking of comebacks, Pavel has a knack for turning tables – his tactical awareness shines as he wins around 92% of games after losing a piece. It’s almost like watching a magician pull endless rabbits out of his hat while the audience wonders if the hat is bottomless (spoiler alert: it is).

Psychologically, our Grandmaster clocks his best play around 6 PM, so if you want to challenge him, maybe avoid that prime time without some serious preparation (and coffee). Pavel’s opponents range from those who never get a sniff of victory to a few who manage to occasionally slip past his defenses — but hey, even legends have their off days!

Recent Triumph

On January 14th, 2024, Pavel sealed a brilliant victory against amindoryani by checkmate in a Sicilian Defense - Alapin Variation, wrapping up the game with his hallmark decisive finishing touch. The game lasted intense but strategic moves until Pavel's final, inescapable strike delivered a checkmate that left spectators speechless.

Fun Fact

Despite smashing through opponents at bullet speed, Pavel has a surprising loss record that’s less than 5% in bullet and blitz combined — talk about consistency! When it comes to resilience, his current winning streak streak stands at a solid 8 games, with a past record of an astonishing 15 consecutive wins. Nope, he doesn't just break the board; he breaks records.

Whether you call him Pavel or potap1923, one thing is clear — this Grandmaster’s adventures on the chessboard are nothing short of legendary and a wicked joy to watch. Chess.com, brace yourselves.