Biography
Nikolaos Poupalos is a Greek chess player who has earned the title of FIDE Master. He is best known for his brisk Blitz play, where speed and precision collide in entertaining battles across online and over-the-board events. With a calm demeanor and a mischievous sense of humor, he keeps a tournament room light even as the clock ticks down.
In the world of fast chess, Poupalos has carved out a reputation for resilience and creativity. His career highlights include peak performances in Bullet and Blitz, a testament to his fearless willingness to test sharp lines and endgames under pressure. He continues to study, experiment with openings, and chase new ideas on his path to higher horizons.
Playing Style & Highlights
Blitz is Poupalos's preferred battleground. He blends dynamic tactical ideas with solid endgame technique, often steering games toward complex late middlegames where careful calculation matters as much as time management.
- Preferred time control: Blitz
- Endgame frequency: 86.9% of his games reach the endgame, signaling his comfort in long technical struggles
- Longest winning streak: 8 games; Current winning streak: 3
- Notable peak ratings: Bullet peak 2731 (Nov 2024); Blitz peak 2612 (Feb 2025)
For a taste of his recent form, consider the Blitz arc where he explored an energetic mix of lines, from aggressive Sicilians to resilient defenses, always aiming to outlast the clock and the opponent.
Openings & Repertoire
His Blitz openings reflect a versatile and practical approach, favoring lines that keep opponents guessing and the game dynamic.
- Bullet openings: Amar Gambit (2 games, 1W-0L-1D, 50% win rate); Sicilian Najdorf Opocensky Variation (2 games, 0W-2L); Philidor Defense (1 game, 1W)
- Blitz selections: Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation (15 games, 7W-7L-1D, 46.67% win rate); Caro-Kann Defense (5 games, 1W-4L); Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Cobra Variation (5 games, 2W-3L)
- Other noted lines include Barnes Defense (4 games, 3W-1L, 75%), Modern (4 games, 3W-1L, 75%), and a mix of flexible setups such as the Spanish/Ruy Lopez family in various flavors
Personal Notes
Colleagues describe Poupalos as a steady thinker with a quick sense of humor who keeps spirits high during long events. His love of endgames and the thrill of a well-timed tactic make him a memorable competitor on any tournament stage.