Vanraj Shingadia

Vanraj Shingadia: The Curious Chess Conqueror

Known to the chessboards as Shingadia, Vanraj's journey in the realm of rapid chess is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. With a peak rating soaring to 587 in August 2023 — a fleeting summit from which he spectacularly dove — Vanraj embodies the ultimate blend of enthusiasm and humility.

He has waged over 2,700 rapid games, tallying 1,250 wins, 1,285 losses, and a handful of draws that even his most serious opponents admire for their rarity. Vanraj doesn’t shy away from the heat of battle; his longest winning and losing streaks are evenly matched at a thrilling 8 games each, proving he’s as comfortable in celebration as in contemplation.

Opening Gambits: A Developer of Van t Kruijs

Vanraj's signature move is the Van t Kruijs Opening, a choice as unconventional as his approach — playing it with almost legendary frequency (over 1,100 rapid games!). This opening has delivered a respectable near 50% win rate, impressing opponents and baffling chess engines alike. He’s a seasoned traveler in the labyrinth of French Defenses too, with varied success in its twists and turns, from the Knight to the Quiet System variations.

Playing Style and Tactics

Expect long games with Vanraj. He prefers a tactical dance that stretches his average wins to about 42 moves, while losses drag out even longer, around 68 moves — possibly proof that even in defeat, he’s not making it easy for his foes. Vanraj’s psychological resilience shines with a comeback rate near 46%, yet he candidly admits a tilt factor of 8, meaning a few bad moves might send him on a mini emotional rollercoaster.

Consistently sharper in the morning (his best time to play is a bright 9 AM), Vanraj often decides early, resigning less than 3% of his games prematurely. If you spot him making a swift exit, it’s probably a nod to sportsmanship rather than surrender.

Memorable Moment

On June 4, 2025, Vanraj brought the crowd to their feet with a stunning checkmate featuring the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack. Navigating a creative path through his opponent’s defenses, he ended the game with queen and knight flair that screamed, “I’m here to play chess — and have fun doing it!”

Fun Facts

• Favorite Opening: Van t Kruijs Opening — because who doesn’t love a good ‘van’-ishing act in the center?
• Signature Strategy: Launching knight invasions that make opponents wonder if they missed their morning coffee.
• Time Management: Loves playing at 9 AM, possibly because caffeine is already in full effect.
• Win Against “mpavan22”: A perfect 100% record. We’re still waiting to see if “mpavan22” can crack the code!

Vanraj Shingadia is a spirited fighter on the 64 squares, constantly learning, delighting chess fans worldwide, and proving that the game is as much about joy as it is about mastery. Whether celebrating a brilliant victory or analyzing a hard-fought loss, Shingadia’s chess tale is full of heart, humor, and a hint of enigma.