Sayantan Das (aka Shoytan) - Grandmaster Extraordinaire
Meet Sayantan Das, a chess Grandmaster who proves that brains and a bit of mischief go hand in hand. Known in the chess world by the mischievous handle Shoytan, this player has elevated the ancient art of checkmating into a fine blend of science and sly strategy.
Sayantan’s chess journey is like a thrilling rollercoaster ride that started with a modest bullet rating around 1369 in 2017, and zoomed up to a blazing 2739 by 2021. In blitz, Shoytan isn't just fast; with a peak rating nearing 2781, they leave opponents scrambling to keep up, all while smiling devilishly on the sidelines.
Their rapid play is no joke either, with a topsy-turvy climb from 1645 to an impressive 2599 in just a couple of years—clearly mastering the art of thinking quickly without losing too much sleep (or pieces). And if you think that’s all, their bullet games show a ruthless killer instinct, boasting a stunning win rate over 52% across an enormous 436 games in their favorite "Top Secret" opening — if only the secret sauce was revealed!
When under pressure, Shoytan shines bright like a tactical superhero, with a jaw-dropping comeback rate of nearly 90% and manages to win over 99% of games even after losing a piece. That means if Sayantan loses a knight, the opponent better watch out — it’s probably just a trick to start a sneaky counterattack.
Fun fact: Sayantan’s games often stretch long into the endgame, with an average of 74 moves per victory, showing a mixture of stamina, skill, and that charming ability to confuse opponents who thought the battle was over. Plus, with a relatively low early resignation rate of 2.4%, this Grandmaster plays till the very last pawn is down.
Off the board, Shoytan’s psychological resilience is almost as impressive as their play, maintaining a tilt factor of just 6—a clear indication that the heat of the battle hardly ever ruffles this chess wizard’s cool.
Achievements & Characteristics
- Title: Grandmaster (FIDE)
- Peak Ratings: Bullet 2739, Blitz 2781, Rapid 2599
- Longest winning streak: 9 games (because why stop winning?)
- Opening of choice: Top Secret (literally and figuratively)
- Play style: Tenacious endgame fighter and comeback king
- Favorite hours to strike: Late nights and early mornings when the world is less ready for a chess storm
Sayantan Das is not just a player but a chess entertainer mixing skill with a dash of unpredictability — a true maestro with a mischievous grin.