Gopal Menon NM

Gopal Menon (aka Shaman91)

National Master Extraordinaire

Meet Gopal Menon, a chess warrior who's danced across the 64 squares with the title of National Master firmly in hand. Known in the digital realm as Shaman91, Gopal has shown a truly uncanny knack for blitz and bullet games—because who has the patience for long slow games when you can blitz your way to glory?

With a blitz peak rating soaring at an impressive 2915 back in September 2021, Gopal once forced opponents to wonder if he possessed a mystical sixth sense for all things tactical and strategic. Bullet play is no less spectacular, hitting a peak rating of 2727 in late 2015. A true speed demon of chess, this player mixes lightning-fast calculations with nerves of steel (and maybe a touch of caffeine).

Playing Style and Personality

Gopal’s style could be best described as a curious blend of patience and explosive creativity. His average win spans nearly 81 moves—a testament to his endurance and love for a good fight. Yet, don't be fooled: this player knows when to bring the hammer down, evidenced by a solid White win rate of 59.35% and an assertive Black win rate above 51%. Endgames happen often (over 82% frequency), showing a willingness to slug it out for a conclusive finish rather than settle for peace.

Tactical awareness? Check. Gopal’s comeback rate after losing a piece is a staggering 88.19%. In other words, if you think you've taken his piece, think again—he's probably plotting how to turn your victory into defeat by move 40.

Career Highlights & Records

• Longest winning streak: 17 games (because once he's on fire, good luck cooling him down)
• Current winning streak: 16 games (still blazing trails)
• Impressive total wins: Over 2,300 in bullet and almost 1,500 in blitz games!

Gopal's performance remains strong across challenging opponents, managing a finesse-laden 39-61% win-loss balance even against players rated above him. And when the pressure mounts, he rarely tilts—a tilt factor of just 8 confirms he's as cool as a cucumber during those nail-biting time scrambles.

Memorable Games

Among his recent exploits, Gopal secured a clean victory by checkmate and swift time management against jonathancarter2020 on March 19, 2025, showcasing his mastery in tight timing and positional play. He conquered the board despite the cursed ticking clock—proof that being called "Shaman" is apropos, channeling powers beyond the ordinary.

Off the Board

When not plotting checkmates or blazing through bullet rounds at a breakneck pace, rumor has it Gopal entertains himself by giving eccentric commentary like, "Your king’s in check, and so is your sense of direction!" Or at least, he should — it suits a player whose moves are as unpredictable as they are brilliant.

Whether you're a beginner dazzled by his speed or a grandmaster trying to crack his code, Gopal Menon stands as proof that focus, dedication, and a dash of swagger can propel you to chess stardom.

"In the kingdom of the king, every pawn has a story – and Shaman91 writes epic novels."