Overview
Niels Josephsen, known online as Zidanebasler, is a prolific blitz specialist with a taste for sharp, dynamic play and a fondness for late night tactics. He has played well over 22,000 rated blitz games and is best described as a grinder who turns long opening preparation into practical pressure on the clock. Preferred time control - Blitz. Fans will tell you he plays like he drinks his coffee: strong and very fast.
- Username: Zidanebasler
- Preferred time control: Blitz
- Notable trait: long average game lengths and a high comeback rate
Playing Style
Niels blends tactical awareness with endgame endurance. He averages long, decisive games and is comfortable in messy middlegame complications. Opponents who win material often still have to play hard because he converts comebacks at a remarkable rate.
- Avg moves per win: around 78 moves
- Comeback rate: very high, often clawing wins after setbacks
- Endgame frequency: strong; not shy about long technical battles
- Best time of day to play: around 02:00 according to his trends
Career Highlights
From early days experimenting with d4 systems to mastering counterattacking defenses, Niels rose steadily through the blitz ranks. He has logged tens of thousands of games and has enjoyed long hot runs, including an 18 game winning streak that made his opponents nervous.
- Massive blitz experience - over 22,000 rated blitz games
- Longest winning streak: 18 games
- Longest losing streak: 12 games
- Notable mental skill: high resilience under pressure
Openings and Repertoire
Niels favors dynamic and unbalancing systems. He has deep experience with the Benko Gambit and multiple Sicilian lines and is equally capable as White with Gruenfeld and KID-type structures. Expect prepared sidelines and practical traps.
- Frequently used as Black: Benko Gambit, Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Sicilian Defense Closed
- Frequently used as White: King side pawn systems leading to King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense type positions and the Gruenfeld: Exchange Variation
- Top opening performance highlight: >53% win rate vs King's Indian Orthodox lines
Records and Stats
Numbers tell part of the story. Niels is a Blitz workhorse with tens of thousands of decisions under time pressure. The raw totals underline consistency and experience against a wide pool of opponents.
- Blitz record: over 10,500 wins and more than 9,800 losses with roughly 1,900 draws
- Peak Blitz recognition: 2435 (2026-03-07)
- Most played opponents include giorgi kordzaxia and Tom Borvander
- Typical win rate by day is steady across the week, with small peaks at late hours
Fun Facts and Personality
Niels likes quandaries on the board and a good chess joke off it. He once declined a draw because his opponent mis-clicked and then proceeded to mangle a winning endgame. He is known for stamina, a tendency to prefer queen checks, and a slightly alarming habit of playing his best moves at 2 a.m.
- Tactical pet-peeve: blundering a piece on move one. It happens, rarely.
- Most common checking piece: the queen
- Psychological tilt factor: moderate. He bounces back more than most.
Placeholders and Sample Content
Explore charts, sample games, and a rapid taste of Niels' tactical feel below. These are interactive placeholders for richer profile widgets.
- Rating history chart:
- Peak blitz rating stat: 2435 (2026-03-07)
- Sample game viewer:
- Look up a frequent rival: giorgi kordzaxia
- Opening glossary quick link: Benko Gambit
- Classic duel: View Game
Closing Note
Niels Josephsen is a modern blitz veteran who mixes deep opening preparation with practical clock play and stubborn endgame technique. Whether you are preparing to face him or just studying his games, expect long battles, tricky pawn storms, and a player who rarely gives up. If you want to follow his style, bring coffee and patience.