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PWRE The Survivor: Survives any mess by sticking to the principles. Picture: Pieces block attacks coming from three directions
The picture Pieces block attacks coming from three directions (white pieces are you, black pieces are the opponent)

PWRE The Survivor

Survives any mess by sticking to the principles

PPositionMany moves build lasting advantages: pawn structure, weak squares, piece placement. High positional and prophylactic scores.
WWildYou sharpen the position and enjoy risky choices such as traps, gambles and sacrifices.
RReactiveYou parry threats and wait for the right moment to strike back.
EExpectedYou mostly play the natural moves people at your rating play. Not weaker, just the proven path.

What a Survivor is like

The Survivor holds on by sticking to principles even in messy, uncomfortable positions. When the opponent stirs things up, they stay calm, survive with standard defense and structure management, and take their chance when the opponent tires. Hard to beat, but can be passive about forcing a result.

What shows up in their games

Strengths

  • Stamina
  • Defensive principles
  • Focus in long games

Weaknesses

  • Passive about forcing a result
  • Passive positions drag on
  • Misses sharp counterattacking chances

Real moves by Survivor players

Picked from real games of Lichess players (names removed) that Stylish classified as PWRE when building its cutoffs. Routine recaptures and moves everyone plays were skipped in favor of moves that show the style most clearly.

h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Signature move

40... Rd2

Rated 2377 · Black

Prophylactic 75Complicating 63Positional 47

A move with high prophylactic and complicating scores. A human at the same rating would play it here 9% of the time, so it is an unusual choice that is hard to find.

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Signature move

65. Ra4

Rated 1198 · White

Prophylactic 73Complicating 63Positional 47

A move with high prophylactic and complicating scores. A human at the same rating would play it here 26% of the time, a natural choice that still shows the style clearly.

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Typical mistake

31. g3

Rated 1862 · White · Blunder

Prophylactic 75Positional 45Space 45

This move dropped the expected score by 46 percentage points. The better move was Nd3 (green arrow). It leans strongly prophylactic and positional, the kind of mistake a Survivor makes when the habit goes too far.

How to improve

The opposite type

ASIO The SniperWaits quietly, then ends the game with a single move. Every letter is reversed, so against this type your style either works best or not at all.

Other Strategists

Players who fight with structure and plans, and aren't afraid of complicated positions.

PWIO Inventor PWIOInventorCreates imbalance on purpose and builds a new kind of game PWIE Strategist PWIEStrategistFollows the big picture even in complicated positions PWRO Fixer PWROFixerFinds clever answers in tangled positions

Are you really a Survivor?

Check with your recent games.

A type describes tendencies, not skill level. See all 16 types