Nicholas Proudfoot

Nicholas Proudfoot (proudf)

Nicholas Proudfoot, known online as proudf, is a relentless blitz battler with a presence on the digital chessboard that rivals the speed of a bullet train—well, almost. His peak blitz rating of 2429 in August 2023 places him among the sharper minds of the online arena, where quick thinking and rapid-fire tactics decide the fate of kings and pawns alike.

Starting his blitz climb back in 2018 with a humble rating hovering in the mid-1800s, proudf has since demonstrated a knack for refining his play, consistently hovering above the 2200 mark for years. His journey through countless games—totaling over 15,000 wins in blitz alone—demonstrates both stamina and dedication, interrupted only by the occasional losing streak (hey, every hero has their kryptonite).

Nicholas's style is a blend of stubborn endgame resilience (playing nearly 80 moves per win on average!) and spectacular comebacks, boasting an impressive comeback rate of nearly 87%. He rarely gives up, and his psychological stamina is as notable as his tactical sharpness, even if the occasional tilt tries to creep in after tough games.

Playing Style and Opening Choices

You won't find proudf quickly surrendering under pressure—his early resignation rate is a razor-thin 0.68%. Strategically, he's comfortable maneuvering through complex defenses, favoring openings like the Modern Defense, Catalan Opening Closed, and the Pirc Defense family. His favorites show a penchant for hypermodern play and flexibility, resulting in a respectable win rate near 41–48% across his main openers.

Always methodical and resourceful, Nicholas also enjoys playing the Slav Defense Modern Line and the English Opening Great Snake Variation, proving his versatility on the board. And if you ever catch him on the bullet battlefield, be aware: Though scarce (just a handful of games), his bullet rating climbed as high as 1910 — not shabby for lightning-fast decision-making!

Fun Facts & Quirks

• With an uncanny comeback ability, he wins over 40% of games even after losing a piece!
• His best time to play is suspiciously at 2:00 AM — either a genius nocturnal strategist or a sleep-deprived chess wizard.
• Despite thousands of games, he's managed to keep a low early resignation rate, proving that his motto must be: "Never give up, even if you blunder your queen."

Recent Highlight

His most recent victory was a theatrical checkmate against isolatedpawn0007, showcasing tactical precision from the Pirc Defense and wrapping up the game in style.
Here’s a glimpse of that match:

Statistics Snapshot

• Total Blitz Games: 15,000+ with nearly 7,000 wins
• Peak Rapid Rating: 2309
• Win Rate by Color: 46.33% with White, 41.22% with Black
• Longest Winning Streak: 13 games
• Tilt Factor: 11 (Yes, the emotional rollercoaster is real!)

Whether it's a rapid tactical skirmish or a marathon endgame battle, Nicholas “proudf” Proudfoot embraces the chessboard with determination, skill, and a touch of quirky resilience. Next time you’re facing him online, beware — and maybe get your popcorn ready!