Høgni Egilstoft Nielsen - The International Master with a Tactical Twist
Known in the chess sphere by the formidable username ST-Sandavagur, Høgni Egilstoft Nielsen is no ordinary player. Earning the esteemed International Master title from FIDE, Høgni mixes deep strategic knowledge with an appetite for exciting play — and a dash of flair that can bewilder even the staunchest grandmaster.
With a peak daily rating soaring to 2206 in early 2021 and an astonishing bullet rating that climbed up to 2976 in March 2025, Høgni clearly feels at home both in thoughtful, classical games and the lightning-quick world of bullet chess. Not to mention their rapid rating peak of 2387 showing that speed and precision make an excellent combo in their arsenal.
But rating only tells part of the story. Høgni boasts a jaw-dropping longest winning streak of 45 games and maintains a commendable overall win rate across formats, often winning with the elegance and subtlety of a seasoned maestro. Their games tend to be lengthy affairs, averaging nearly 75 moves per win, proving they love a good, classic battle, not just quick-fire victories.
A tactical magician, Høgni displays an impressive 85.95% comeback rate — yes, when things look bleak, they're just warming up! Plus, with a solid 58.06% win rate after losing a piece, it’s clear giving material away is more a clever trap than a blunder in their playbook.
Opponents beware: Høgni’s style combines patience, precision, and bursts of aggressive ingenuity. They frequently employ the Alapin Sicilian Defense and variations of the Italian Game, enjoying a win rate hovering around 60-70% in these openings. Their nuanced understanding also extends to less trodden paths like the Dutch Defense and Alekhine’s Defense, where their win rates climb impressively.
Outside of the stats, Høgni is a fascinating character. Their psychological resilience is notable, with a relatively low tilt factor and a best playing time often around dawn (the 4 AM club knows!). Perhaps they are working the brain while the rest of us dream—or plotting their next sneaky checkmate over a late-night coffee.
Recently, Høgni dazzled their fans with a shining victory against RantomOpening, winning by a clean and clever checkmate in a beautifully played Alapin Sicilian Defense. Their ability to control the board and time has seen many such triumphs, confirming the mantra: play fast, play smart, and play with heart.
Whether firing off bullets in rapid succession or crafting a masterpiece in long games, Høgni Egilstoft Nielsen stands tall as a chess warrior who loves the game as much as they love winning it.