Damir Ismagilov - Candidate Master Extraordinaire
Known in the chess world as Russian_berezka, Damir Ismagilov is no ordinary player. Holding the Candidate Master title from FIDE, Damir combines a tactical sharpness with a knack for resurrecting nearly lost positions, boasting an impressive 88.42% comeback rate. Yes, in the face of defeat, Damir channels the spirit of a phoenix—except this phoenix moves knights, not flames.
Playing Style & Personality
With an early resignation rate hovering at a humble 0.63%, it's clear Damir fights to the bitter end—or at least until the coffee runs out. Known for long battles on the board, Damir’s average victorious game stretches to about 87 moves, which could be mistaken for a Netflix series marathon. Black tends to give Damir a slight edge with a 42.73% win rate, while White keeps it competitive at 47.03%.
Rating Highlights
- Peak Blitz Rating: 2702 (May 2022) – That’s grandmaster territory screaming to get out!
- Peak Bullet Rating: 2661 (July 2023) – Lightning fast thumbs meet strategic genius.
- Peak Rapid Rating: 2649 (November 2022) – When seconds matter, Damir still reigns supreme.
Opening Preferences
Damir enjoys mixing it up, but some openings are old friends:
- Indian Game in Blitz (74 games, 43% win rate) – A battleground of strategic depth.
- Modern Defense Standard Lizard Defense Mittenberger Gambit (38 games, almost 58% wins!) – Lizard might sound scary, but Damir took it in stride.
- English Opening Agincourt Defense (15 games, 53% wins) – A sneaky surprise for opponents who underestimate the finesse.
Epic Battles & Rivalries
Damir’s warrior heart has faced opponents like superchthonic and gmjoey1 multiple times, trading blows and refining his craft. While some adversaries like 'hikaru' remain elusive in victory, Damir shines against many with an impressive win rate of 100% against a slew of challengers—clearly a connoisseur of making moments count.
Notable Recent Game
In a thrilling June 3, 2025 blitz battle against ChristopherMunoz, Damir turned the tables with the Queen's Indian Defense, culminating in a checkmate that would make any chess coach proud. For those who love reliving victories, the full cascade of moves is archived online for dissecting the brilliance.
Fun Facts
- Damir’s best time to unleash chess magic? The eerily quiet hour of 3 AM—who needs sleep when you can checkmate?
- While many fold under pressure, Damir's tilt factor is a manageable 9—still human, but almost zen in competitive chaos.
- Has a curious affinity for long, drawn-out battles ending by resignation or timeout, making opponents sweat (and their clocks tick).
Whether blitzing with lightning speed or grinding out an endgame marathon, Damir Ismagilov carries the spirit of a chess fighter—strategic, resilient, and occasionally sneaky. Opponents beware: behind the Candidate Master title is a tactical mind ready to spin the board into its next catastrophe... for you, that is.