Valerio Carnicelli
International Master, Blitz marauder, and the reason your clock is in danger.
The Ascent
Valerio Carnicelli, known online as valeriocarnicelli, is a Blitz chess phenomenon. His recorded journey begins in 2017 with a modest 1320 Blitz rating, a number that would look adorable next to what came next. In the summer of 2018 he played 176 Blitz games in a single month and emerged over 1000 rating points higher, a rocket launch disguised as a chess player.
From there the climb never really stopped. He pushed past 2500, toured the 2600s, and eventually reached a jaw dropping 2837 (2026-05-19) peak in Blitz, a number that makes grandmasters start taking personal notes.
A Grinder With a Memorable Repertoire
Valerio does not believe in quick draws. His decisive games routinely stretch past 80 moves, and nearly 85 percent of his battles reach an endgame. His comeback rate sits at an absurd 89 percent, which is a polite way of saying he happily walks into slightly worse positions, shrugs, and outplays everyone in the technical phase.
His opening repertoire is a museum of internet chess. As White he constantly deals with the Caro-Kann Defense and happily chops through the Scotch Game. With Black he dives into the razor sharp Sicilian Defense and the eternally practical French Defense. When the mood strikes, he reaches for the Nimzo-Larsen Attack and reminds everyone that flank openings are also a personality trait.
Frenemies and Nemeses
No Blitz warrior is complete without rivals. His most frequent dance partner is Nino Maisuradze, with 171 online battles and a lopsided 124 wins for Valerio. If that is the friendly rivalry, then Francesco Sonis is the recurring nightmare, handing Valerio 51 losses in 71 games. And then there is Cristi Machidon, a near perfect coin flip that keeps the rematch button warm.
The Numbers That Make Coaches Sweat
- Longest winning streak of 13 games, longest losing streak of 12. Valerio plays with no middle gear.
- His best win rate comes at exactly midnight, 70 percent at 00:00. The night belongs to him.
- He delivers the first check just over half the time, and when he does he wins 52.5 percent of those games.
- His endgame frequency is a monstrous 84.85 percent. He will drag you into a rook and pawn ending even if you beg.
- His tilt factor of 12 suggests the emotional rollercoaster is part of the charm, and the comeback rate proves he enjoys it.