Alexander Raetsky GM

Alexander Raetsky - The Grandmaster on a Blitz Blitzkrieg

Alexander Raetsky, known in the chess world by the fearsome handle wrongking, holds the prestigious title of Grandmaster awarded by FIDE. This chess virtuoso combines a sharp tactical mind with a love for rapid-fire games, often dominating the 5-minute blitz arenas where his peak rating soared to an impressive 2453 in December 2023.

A Career in Rapid and Blitz

Starting from a humble blitz rating of around 1319 in 2016, Alexander's journey is nothing short of inspirational. With over 2300 blitz games logged and a nearly balanced win-loss record (1109 wins to 1038 losses), his persistence shines through every game. His rapid style is no less spectacular, boasting a perfect 6/6 win record in 2025 rapid games, including clean sweeps with openings like the Scandinavian Defense and the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. He’s the embodiment of a swift thinker who can turn complicated positions into winning smiles.

Style and Strategy

With an average of nearly 65 moves per win and a comeback rate at a staggering 88.88%, Alexander is the kind of player who never gives up—even when the board looks bleak. His keys to victory? Patience in the endgame (he plays it frequently), and a readiness to bounce back after losing pieces. And while his psychological tilt factor suggests he might get a bit ruffled now and then, his record of long winning streaks (up to 23 games!) more than makes up for it.

Notable Characteristics

• Favorite Opening in Blitz: The enigmatic "Top Secret" (okay, so that might just mean he likes to keep opponents guessing!) – he’s played over 2300 games here with a solid 48% win rate.
• Peak Blitz Rating: 2453 (December 2023)
• Peak Rapid Rating: 2000 (June 2025)
• Longest Winning Streak: 23 games – during which opponents probably Googled "how to stop wrongking."
• Best Time to Play: Early mornings at 6 AM. Apparently, the brain sharpens with dawn coffee and daring attacks.

Recent Chess Antics

In a recent rapid game from June 2025, wrongking executed a beautiful checkmate with the Scandinavian Defense against "fripouillelbg," showing not just precision but flair. His blitz games also reveal a liking for complex, tactical positions where he converts even slender advantages into triumphs. Losing streaks happen (his longest being 12), but you can bet he bounces back with vengeance.

Off the Board

Alexander's alias, wrongking, might suggest a humble nod to humility or a sly wink at occasional blunders. But make no mistake—this king knows how to command the battlefield. When not plotting checkmates, Alexander is probably analyzing games or schooling opponents with unexpected sacrifices. After all, every grandmaster needs a signature mischief move, and his is keeping opponents guessing on whether it’s genius or madness.

Whether you’re a fan, a fellow competitor, or just stumbling into his chess realm, Alexander Raetsky embodies the spirit of relentless improvement, passion for blitz chess, and that magical blend of calculation and creativity that makes chess the royal game.