Avatar of Helgi Olafsson
Player Profile

Helgi Olafsson GM

scrapnel Since 2017 (Active) Chess.com ♟♟♟♟♟
48.8% W 42.4% L 8.8% D
Bullet
1791
15W 22L 0D
Blitz
2725
4290W 3717L 776D
Rapid
2337
3W 7L 2D
Daily
1818
0W 2L 0D

Helgi Olafsson: The Blitz Viking Grandmaster

Meet Helgi Olafsson, better known online as scrapnel, a FIDE Grandmaster who dominates the chessboard with Viking ferocity in Blitz games. His preferred time control is Blitz, where quick wits and bold moves turn matches into epic sagas. From humble online beginnings to peak ratings over 2800, Helgi has played thousands of games, blending humor with high-stakes strategy that keeps opponents guessing.

Early Days and Rise to Fame

Helgi started his journey in 2017, honing skills through intense sessions. His love for openings like the Döry Defense and Caro-Kann Defense shone early, leading to a Grandmaster title. Funny enough, his name evokes Norse legends, but on the board, he conquers with precision rather than axes.

Playing Style and Funny Quirks

Helgi's style mixes aggressive attacks with clever defenses, often leaving rivals stunned. He boasts strong endgame frequency and a tilt factor that adds drama, making wins feel like conquering Valhalla. Rivalries with players like Tamaz Mgeladze highlight his competitive edge in long winning streaks.

  • Blitz specialist with thousands of wins
  • Frequent use of creative gambits
  • Known for comeback rates that defy odds

Notable Milestones

Over the years, Helgi has racked up impressive records, including a longest winning streak of 40 games. His journey includes charted progress like

Blitz Rating279027112632255324742017: 25002018: 25362019: 26772020: 26162021: 27322022: 26032023: 26572024: 27512025: 27322026: 27642017201820192020202120222023202420252026
and insights from
Win Rate by Opening0%25%75%100%50%Döry Defense: 48.3% over 346 gamesCaro-Kann Defense: 42.3% over 274 gamesEnglish Opening: Agincourt Defense: 48.0% over 227 gamesLondon System: Poisoned Pawn Variation: 49.1% over 212 gamesEast Indian Defense: 53.1% over 209 gamesAmazon Attack: Siberian Attack: 39.2% over 209 gamesDöry Defense48%Caro-Kann Defense42%English Opening: Aginco…48%London System: Poisoned…49%East Indian Defense53%Amazon Attack: Siberian…39%
. This Grandmaster proves chess can be both serious and side-splittingly fun.

Bio last updated 2026-07-09