Bernhard Kunze

Bernhard Kunze (aka Slowhand8) - The Resilient Chess Warrior

Meet Bernhard Kunze, who prefers the calm might of the username Slowhand8 over flashy titles — probably because his hands are anything but slow when the clock is ticking!

Rating Journey & Style

From an initial blitz rating bumping up to a peak of 1121 in October 2021, Bernhard's chess ride resembles a rollercoaster with thrilling ups and challenging downs. His rapid rating peaked at a respectable 1371 the previous May, showing a proclivity for strategic thinking in a slightly more leisurely pace.

Known for embracing the chaos, Bernhard enjoys the battlefield more than the drawn-out peace negotiations — his games often stretch around 66 moves per win, highlighting commitment and endurance. And with a 44.96% win rate in blitz using the ever-mysterious "Top Secret" opening, opponents might need a secret decoder ring just to guess his next move!

Playing Personality

Bernhard plays with his heart on his sleeve and strategy on the board, balancing resilience and adaptability. Falling behind? No worries. His 63.36% comeback rate proves he’s no quitter, and losing a key piece only selectively dampens his spirit (winning over one-third of such games). The tilt factor of 13 means he’s human enough to get a little ruffled but not enough to hand out free wins.

Strengths (and Quirks)

• Endgames Enthusiast: Nearly 70% of his games reach the endgame, making him a grinder who enjoys the late puzzles on the 64 squares.
• Time Control Tactician: His win rate peaks around 17:00 (5 PM) — perhaps fueled by an afternoon espresso or more peace at home.
• Early Resignation Rarely Used: Only 2.88% of his games end with early resignations, showing a never-say-die attitude to every match.

Fun Facts & Stats

- When facing familiar opponents, Bernhard has shown an impressive 100% win rate against several, proving that practice does make perfect — or at least very consistent.
- His chess openings lean heavily into a "Top Secret" strategy both in blitz and rapid modes, which probably means he's still figuring out whether it's a secret you can share with the internet.
- The bitter truth: he’s had streaks of up to 13 losses in a row but has also bounced back with a best winning streak of 12. A classic tale of tragedy and triumph on the chess battlefield.

Latest Triumph & Defeats

Bernhard's recent victories are marked by strong endgame finesse and clever time management — often winning on his opponent's time, which tells you he knows how to keep the pressure up! His latest win featured a tactical battle leveraging the Wayward Queen Attack, ending with a victorious layering of sneaky queen maneuvers and time pressure.

Yet, like any determined player, he's faced sharp defeats as well — including a memorable checkmate in a fiery duel using the same Wayward Queen Opening, reminding us all that the chess gods demand humility.

In Summary

Bernhard Kunze — Slowhand8 if you're feeling casual — embodies the true spirit of chess: resilience, wit, and a dash of mystery. Not the grandmaster yet, but definitely a grand player with a story worth following. Just don’t get too comfortable around him; his game is part science, part art, and part sneaky time-out wins.