Jiri Zapletal

Jiri Zapletal (Zaplji)

Meet Jiri Zapletal, affectionately known in the online chess world as Zaplji. A dynamic and tenacious player, Jiri has carved his niche across all time controls, from the lightning-fast bullet to the thoughtful pace of daily chess games.

Rating Highlights & Playing Style

Jiri's peak ratings speak volumes of his versatile prowess: a blistering 2030 in Blitz (achieved in October 2020), a rapid-fire 2020 in Rapid (November 2021), an impressive 1939 in Bullet (March 2021), and a solid 1877 in Daily chess (October 2021). These peaks illustrate a player equally comfortable in fast tactical skirmishes and strategic marathon matches.

His style is a curious blend of patience and grit. With an average of almost 64 moves per win in Daily games, it’s clear he enjoys a good battle before sealing the deal. Though sometimes the 24% early resignation rate hints he knows when to fold ‘em – all great players do.

Opening Mastery

Jiri is no stranger to the intricacies of chess openings. His secret weapon? The Pirc Defense, boasting an impressive win rate nearing 66% in Daily and 65.8% in Blitz games. This defense, known for its flexible and counter-attacking capabilities, suits him perfectly. He is also adept at the English Opening Reversed Sicilian Variation, dazzling his Blitz opponents with nearly 90% success.

Win & Loss Record

With over 3,000 wins combined across all formats and a tendency to secure wins even after losing material (a stunning 62.5% win rate after sacrificing a piece), Jiri embodies the spirit of a fighting chess gladiator. His longest winning streak? An impressive 19 consecutive victories to keep the fans on their feet. Conversely, his longest losing streak, a humbling 44 games, shows that every chess journey has its ups and downs.

Psychology & Tactics

The psychological battlefield is where Jiri shows vulnerability, with a tilt factor of 44—indicating occasional frustration when games don’t go his way. But his comeback rate is a staggering 74%, proving he’s the phoenix rising from the ashes more often than not.

Noteworthy Recent Games

His most recent win? A dramatic victory in the Yellow Ram's Long King's Fianchetto Opening Tournament where Zaplji, wielding the White pieces, outlasted opponent etn_nz on time, staying cool under pressure.
The last loss was a heartbreaker in the Croatian Team Daily Tournament, losing on time despite fierce resistance, evidence that even heroes sometimes run out of clock.

Fun Facts

• Best time of day to challenge Jiri: 6:00 AM — early riser or chess insomniac?
• Favorite day to dominate: Tuesday, where his win rate peaks above 65%.
• While Jiri’s kingside pawns might reclaim the throne, his record with the King's Pawn Opening puts him at a humble 0% win rate—proof that even the best have their Achilles' heel!

Whether you're a chess enthusiast inspired by versatile players or just love a good underdog story with a sprinkle of tactical fireworks, Jiri Zapletal’s chess journey is one to watch. From down and out to lightning-fast comebacks, he keeps the board thrilling, one move at a time.