About SergejRachmaninoff
SergejRachmaninoff is a mercurial online chess player known for marathon endings, cheeky openings, and an uncanny ability to stage comebacks when the position (and the clock) looks hopeless. A student of funky sidelines and classic systems alike, Sergej earned a reputation for long, grindy battles — the typical decisive game runs well into the 80s in moves — and a love affair with positions that ask difficult endgame questions.
Preferred time control: Bullet — when the nerves and reflexes are on full display. Despite the speed, Sergej blends tactical sharpness with endgame patience: an impressive comeback rate and an Endgame Frequency above 80% make him dangerous in the late phase of the game.
Peak performances: reached career highs in both Blitz and Bullet (peek at the badges below). 2644 (2024-05-15) and 2507 (2023-07-19).
Style & Strengths
- Fashioned for long fights — Average moves per win ≈ 85; average moves per loss ≈ 82.
- Fearless comebacker: Comeback rate around 85% — give Sergej a pawn down and a clock ticking and he’ll still look for tactics.
- Tactical awareness is solid: wins often after messy middlegames and complicated imbalances.
- Psychology: Tilt factor is nonzero (13) — winner of both brilliant recoveries and dramatic faceplants. Play him at 09:00 if you want his best form.
- Early resignation rate high — if the position looks busted, Sergej will spare you the long checkmate sequence and resign early (or so the story goes).
Career Highlights
- Remarkable streak: longest winning streak of 48 games — the kind of run that gives opponents nightmares.
- Notable peak in Blitz (mid-2024) and strong Bullet peak in July 2023 — great at both rapid-fire calculation and long, grinding blitz sessions.
- High-volume competitor in Blitz with thousands of rated games; Bullet results are fewer but very potent (high strength-adjusted win rate in Bullet).
Openings & Repertoire
Sergej mixes surprise with structure. He loves offbeat lines and trusted systems that lead to imbalanced play and rich middlegames.
- White favorites: Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation, Indian Defense: Przepiorka Variation, London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation.
- Black staples: a variety of Sicilians (Closed, Accelerated Dragon flavors) and the occasional Amar Gambit when the mood strikes.
- Top Bullet success with the Nimzo-Larsen Attack and surprise gambits — short games, sharp edges.
Notable Opponents
Sergej has faced a loyal group of regulars. If you want to scout, start with these names:
- Most-played: Ignacio Raviolo — a long rivalry with many decisive encounters.
- Also frequent: Jack Rodgers, Jovan Miletic, starazagora.
- Records vary — some matchups tilt heavily against Sergej, others are his bread-and-butter.
Match Habits & Timing
- Best win rates by hour: early morning and late-night hours see the strongest showings (notably around 09:00 and small windows past midnight).
- Win rate by day: Mondays and midweek perform well; Thursdays dip a touch.
- Often opens with Nf3 as White — a flexible, system-oriented approach that keeps opponents guessing.
Sample Game (for flavor)
A typical Sergej encounter: messy middlegame, patient endgame. Replay a short illustrative sequence below.
Quirks & Fun Facts
- Nickname suggestion: "The Pianist of Pawns" — quietly maneuvers pawns like musical phrases.
- Loves unusual lines; opponents never relax after move 4.
- Will sometimes trade immediate clarity for long-term pressure — and then smile when the endgame favors him.
Want to Challenge Sergej?
Try Bullet if you dare. Study the Colle and Nimzo-Larsen first, practice surviving chaotic middlegames, and remember: resigning early may be a mercy.