Ted Shi (tedshi)
Known in the realms of online chess as "tedshi," Ted Shi has climbed the chilly ranks of chess combatants with a blend of tactical intuition and, dare we say, a sprinkle of stubborn grit worthy of a Grandmaster in the making. Starting out in 2017, Ted dipped a cautious toe into the Blitz waters, quickly finding himself oscillating between ratings in the 1100s to a respectable high of 1839 in early 2024—a journey that probably involved a fair share of caffeine and late-night checkmates.
Playing Style & Personality
With an average game length hovering around 70 moves, Ted is not one for snap decisions. He plays the long game, both literally and figuratively, savoring endgames as if they were gourmet meals. His psychological warfare is surprisingly effective: an 81.2% comeback rate and a tilt factor of just 14 suggest a player who’s cool under fire—unless someone steals his queen, then all bets are off.
Ted's favorite battlefields are the fast and furious bullet games, where he boasts a peak rating of 2172, and he's no stranger to the Sicilian Defense and King's Indian Defense, wielding these openings with more grace than a ballet dancer on a 1-minute timer.
Notable Achievements
- Peak Blitz rating of 1839 as of February 2024.
- Rapid rating soaring past 2000, reaching 2020 in May 2024.
- Bullet blaster at heart, peaking at a formidable 2172 in June 2023.
- Known for an impressive 14-game winning streak, proving that sometimes, luck favors the prepared.
Signature Openings
When it comes to selecting openings, Ted mixes classic with chaos. His top Blitz weapon, charmingly mysterious and unofficially known as "Top Secret," nets him an astounding 80% win rate. Meanwhile, his reliable buddies include the Sicilian Defense (with flavors like Delayed Alapin and Open Najdorf) and the Queens Gambit Declined's exchange variations.
Recent Battles
His most recent recorded victory involved a daring defense against lilbmonkey where Ted executed a precise kingside attack, resulting in a resignation—a cruel fate for his opponent but a delicious triumph for Ted. Conversely, his latest defeat came at the hands of Killya10 in a tense Queens Gambit Declined duel, lost on time after a nail-biting endgame. Sometimes even the best lose on the clock; it’s all part of the art.
Fun Facts & Quirks
- There’s a near-mystical hour in the early afternoon (1 PM) where Ted’s moves tend to sparkle the brightest, courtesy of a peak win rate around that time.
- Despite excelling in fast games, Ted’s average first capture comes only on move 7, suggesting a patient predator who waits for the perfect moment.
- He's mastered resignation as a strategy, with a quirky record of winning many games because opponents gave up too soon—Ted calls it "psychological chess."
In Conclusion
Ted Shi is the kind of player who balances serious chess skill with a playfulness that keeps opponents guessing. Whether it’s a bullet brawl or a marathon rapid session, tedshi combines precision, resilience, and just enough mystery to keep the chess world on its toes. Expect brilliant moves, occasional blunders, and always a good game.
