Renier Castellanos GM

Grandmaster Renier Castellanos (ThinkingSquares)

Renier Castellanos, known online as ThinkingSquares, is a chess Grandmaster whose blitz performance is nothing short of legendary. With a peak blitz rating soaring to an astonishing 2902 in December 2024, Renier can turn the chessboard into a battlefield and emerge victorious with a smile.

Starting off his blitz journey with a humble 1406 rating back in early 2011, Renier rapidly accelerated through the ranks, turning what seemed like simple pawn pushes into tactical masterpieces and knockout blows. His blitz win rate hovers near 50%, backed by over 6,000 games and a staggering 3,131 wins—because giving up was never part of his strategy.

Not just a blitz aficionado, Renier has dabbled in rapid and bullet chess; while his bullet stats show a flawless 100% win record in 12 games (yes, he owns that format too), his rapid games are a bit more casual, with a modest 12.5% win rate. Perhaps he saves his genius for the lightning-fast battles.

Playing style & quirks

• Endgame Whisperer: With an endgame frequency of 84.5%, Renier enjoys the wars beyond the middle game, often grinding down opponents with relentless technique.
• Comeback King: His remarkable 86.6% comeback rate shows that losing a piece or a position only fuels his fighting spirit.
• Patience of a Saint: Average moves per win clock in nearly 83 moves, proving that Renier prefers marathon battles over quick knockouts.
• Night Owl Genius: His best time to play? Around 11 PM, when the moon is high and the pawns tremble.

Memorable Moments

On December 14, 2024, in a fierce blitz clash against pawn_harold, Renier, wielding the white pieces, orchestrated a beautiful combination and forced resignation by his opponent. This game is a testament to his deeply strategic play and tactical awareness.

Even Grandmasters stumble: Renier recently faced a tough challenge against Chessgodisback2008, resulting in a loss, reminding us even legends occasionally trip—but they always get back up.

Opponent Records & Rivalries

Renier's masterful record includes numerous battles against frequent opponents like jeroma71 (124 games) and maitreia (67 games). Interestingly, his win rate varies widely by opponent, from ruthless conqueror to gracious sharer of points.

Fun Fact

His blitz openings are a tightly guarded Top Secret, with nearly 6,300 games played under this cryptic label, boasting a win rate just shy of 50%. Perhaps Renier's greatest weapon is the element of surprise—because who needs a known opening when your mind is the ultimate trap!

In the world of online blitz chess, Renier Castellanos is not just a player. He's a force of nature, a midnight strategist, and if you spot ThinkingSquares online at 11 PM, prepare for a battle where even your best calculated move will be under pressure.