Player Profile: Víðir Svanbjörnsson (aka Salix91)
Meet Víðir Svanbjörnsson, better known in the chess world as Salix91, a player whose journey across the 64 squares is as dynamic as the shifting Icelandic winds. With a peak rapid rating of 807 achieved in July 2022 and an impressive daily rating peak of 800, Víðir shows a mastery spiced with the raw spirit of a tenacious competitor.
Víðir’s style is the embodiment of persistence and strategic depth. A self-proclaimed seeker of stalemates, he has an endgame frequency of over 50% and averages nearly 58 moves per win – yes, patience is his virtue (and maybe his secret weapon). But don't mistake those drawn-out battles for stalling; his comeback rate is an astonishing 72.8%, turning near-defeats into “Wait, what?!” moments.
While not the most feared blitzer (peak blitz rating: 637), Víðir braves the lightning-fast time controls with admirable grit. Tactical awareness is high, and his resilience shines intensely – a psychological “tilt factor” of 12 keeps things human, but never derails his focus for long. He often plays best in the wee hours—his best time to strike? 4 AM sharp, when the pieces are sleepy but the mind is sharp.
His repertoire is eclectic with a nod to mystery; the majority of games are played with "Unknown Opening" strategies, leaving opponents guessing and scrambling. From the Philidor Defense to the French Defense Knight Variation, and even the elusive Top Secret openings, Víðir enjoys mixing precision with unpredictability.
In the arena of wins and losses, the scoreboard tells a tale of a warrior not afraid to grapple: 199 rapid wins to 237 losses, 712 blitz wins balanced evenly against 722 losses, and moments of brilliance in bullet chess reaching a peak of 646 rating. His longest winning streak? A respectable 13 games, often followed by stubborn fights that test nerves.
His most memorable recent victory was a stylish checkmate against Txexto on May 27, 2025, showcasing his skillful command of the Philidor Defense. Whether outmaneuvering foes in subtle positional play or seizing tactical shots, Víðir never fails to make chess entertaining—both for him and his opponents.
Fun fact: Víðir rarely resigns early, only about 10% of the time, proving his motto might well be: "Why give up when you still have pawns left to confuse your opponent?"
Whether you're a fan of deep endgames, thrilling comebacks, or a casual admirer of cool chess nicknames, Víðir Svanbjörnsson is a player worth watching on and off the board. Check out his games online under Salix91—because in every move, there's a story waiting to unfold.
