Gaurav Bakliwal (thebiggb21) - FIDE Master and Rapid Specialist
Gaurav Bakliwal, known online as thebiggb21, is a FIDE Master who has carved a reputation as a fast, sharp player with a clear preference for rapid chess. Part technician, part strategist, and part cheeky trickster, Gaurav mixes classical technique with surprise opening choices. Rapid play is his sweet spot and his results show he knows how to close a game with style.
- Title: FIDE Master
- Preferred time control: Rapid
- Playstyle highlights: tactical awareness, high endgame frequency, loves delivering queen checks
Career Highlights and Peak Moments
Gaurav rose quickly through online events in late 2025 and early 2026, putting together impressive winning streaks and solidifying a reputation in both rapid and blitz. He combines aggressive opening preparation with calm endgame technique.
- Notable streaks: longest winning streak 10 games, current winning streak 10 games
- Strong comeback ability and resilience: high comeback rate and win rate after losing material
- Peak indicators: 2023 (2025-12-30) and 2246 (2025-10-14)
Playing Style and Strengths
Gaurav plays with a mix of calculated patience and opportunistic tactics. He is comfortable shepherding games into long endgames and frequently delivers checks with the queen to unsettle opponents. His average moves per win point to thoughtful, deliberate victories rather than lightning finishes.
- Endgame frequency: high - success converting advantages
- Average moves per win: about 46
- Tactical profile: strong comeback rate and a 70% win rate after losing a piece
Opening Repertoire and Favorite Lines
Gaurav has a surprisingly eclectic repertoire. He uses classical lines and cheeky traps depending on color and time control. In rapid games he posts near-perfect records with several systems.
- Reliable White weapons: Nimzo-Larsen Attack and Italian Game varieties
- Favorite Black setups: Four Knights Game and the Blackburne Shilling Gambit for surprise value
- Notable results: perfect win rates in multiple rapid openings including Four Knights Game and Scotch Game
Explore his opening success visually: Four_Knights_Game and Nimzo-Larsen_Attack
Head-to-Head and Opponent Notes
Gaurav has built impressive head-to-head records against frequent opponents on his platform, showing dominance in several mini-rivalries.
- Top rival: upcomminggmpragyan - 11 wins, 0 losses
- Strong records vs aarushmaster2015 and pragyanchess1324
- Most-played opponents list includes upcomminggmpragyan, aarushmaster2015, pragyanchess1324
Sample Game
One tidy sample from Gaurav's toolbox. Click to replay the moves in a friendly viewer.
Personality and Trivia
Gaurav mixes seriousness with humor at the board. He is the kind of player who will steady the ship after a blunder and then win with a picturesque queen check. Offline, he probably drinks tea and mutters about move-order subtleties. Online, he goes by thebiggb21.
- Best time of day to challenge him: around 02:00 (his peak performance window)
- Known for surprising opponents with rare opening choices and quick tactical refutations
- Preferred handle: thebiggb21
Want to Follow Gaurav?
Keep an eye on his rapid games and tactical experiments. For a quick dive, check a recent opponent profile or game links in his match history.
- Recent activity snapshot: strong rapid performance across late 2025 and early 2026
- Try visiting profiles of frequent opponents: aarushmaster2015, pragyanchess1324