Overview
Armend Budima (Rauzeri) is a blitz specialist with a nose for tactical complications and a fondness for sharp, messy positions. A relentless online competitor, Armend plays the kind of fast chess that looks chaotic to spectators and thoroughly planned to him. Preferred time control: Blitz — it's where Rauzeri truly sings.
Career highlight (in brief): a peak blitz performance noted in his recent run — 2510 (2026-01-16) — and a steady upward trajectory through 2022–2026 that reward anyone scanning his games for inspiration.
Playing Style
Armend plays like someone who ordered his coffee "extra tactical." He:
- Favors decisive, long endgames — Endgame Frequency: high (82%+ of games reach late phases).
- Is deadly in comebacks — Comeback Rate around Comeback 85% (yes, really).
- Leads with fast, practical captures — Average first capture ~ move 8.
- Is a little human: Tilt Factor 10 — treat him kindly after a loss.
Numbers tell the same story: long decisive games (avg ~75–78 moves) and a willingness to play on until something breaks.
Openings & Repertoire
As White and Black, Armend returns to a recurring set of structures. He plays a lot of Sicilian-type positions but also enjoys springing less-common traps on unsuspecting opponents.
- Most-played: Sicilian Defense: Closed — heavy volume and solid results.
- Best win-rate among frequent lines: French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation — excellent results when it goes his way.
- Other staples: Caro-Kann Defense, King's Indian Defense: Accelerated Averbakh Variation, and the occasional Blackburne Shilling Gambit for comic relief.
Here’s a compact PGN sample that captures the feel of many of his games (fast development, kingside tension, then endgame grind):
Top Opponents & Head-to-Head
Armend has built rivalries through volume and velocity. A few frequent names:
- romanakopov — 89 games (38–46–5 record).
- Tom Borvander — 76 games (44–27–5 record).
- aflatunmamedov — 69 games (24–36–9 record).
- RaphaelGilles — 49 games (24–22–3 record).
Want to see a representative clash? Check a recent blitz skirmish with a familiar rival:
Quick Blitz FinishStreaks, Trends & Best Times
Career streaks and rhythm:
- Longest winning streak: 11 games. Longest losing streak: 10 games. Current losing streak: 1.
- Best time of day to face him: the late-night zone — highest win rates around 21:00 and a notable peak at 01:00.
- Day-of-week consistency: Monday and Tuesday tend to be his strongest weekdays.
Fun Facts & Quick SEO-Friendly Summary
Armend Budima (Rauzeri) — blitz-focused, endgame-savvy, and surprisingly resilient. If you search for "Armend Budima chess blitz profile" you’ll find a player who loves long, decisive fights and isn’t afraid to play unbalanced positions.
- High-level snapshot:
- Peak mention (blitz): 2510 (2026-01-16)
- Quick training tip: study Winawer Advance structures and Sicilian Closed middlegames for a window into why he wins so often.
Need more? Ask for a deep dive into a particular year, opening, or a game analysis — Armend’s library is large, loud, and full of late endings.