Laurent Fressinet: The Zlatan56 Blitz Artist
Grandmaster, Speed Demon
Grandmaster Laurent Fressinet, known online as Zlatan56, is a FIDE titled player who clearly feels at home when the clock is ticking fast. His preferred time control is Blitz, and the numbers show why: over a thousand career blitz wins, a style built on pressure, and a willingness to play almost any position. He does not hide in theory either. His games often feature creative setups like the Modern Defense and a stubborn refusal to make things simple for his opponents.
Blitz Heartbeat
Fressinet's Blitz rating graph tells the story of a player who kept climbing through the years. His 3047 (2026-06-22) peak of 3047 shows that he can mix with the very best when the format is fast and unforgiving.
Repertoire and Style
As White, Fressinet loves the quiet but poisonous Torre Attack, and his London Poisoned Pawn lines have been especially dangerous. As Black, he leans on flexible systems, with the Döry Defense and the Modern Defense appearing constantly in his opening records. His games are not rushed even in Blitz: wins average around 80 moves, and he reaches endgame positions in the vast majority of his battles. That patience is a huge weapon when other players start to flag.
Rivalries in the Lobby
Every regular in the Blitz pool has familiar names, and Fressinet has a few. Against qazertyui he is a perfect 38 wins from 38 games, which has to be some kind of online curse. Alexander Rustemov has pushed him harder, with Fressinet winning 14 of their 29 meetings. Rudik Makarian has had the better of their series, while Nikolas Theodorou has also given him plenty of headaches. These rivalries make the lobby feel like a recurring tournament where everyone knows everyone.
Fighting Spirit
Fressinet is not easy to put away. His comeback rate sits around 89 percent, and he still wins 47 percent of games even after losing a piece. His longest winning streak reached eight games, and although he has also weathered a seven game skid, he keeps coming back. He is also a confirmed night owl: his best results come around 2am, when the rest of the chess world is sleepy and Zlatan56 is just getting started. If you see him in the early hours, bring your best defenses and a lot of patience.