Anika Du Plessis WIM

Anika Du Plessis, Woman International Master

Meet Anika Du Plessis, a chess player whose journey through the 64 squares is as exciting as her title of Woman International Master granted by FIDE. A resilient and tactical warrior, Anika has battled through countless games, proving her mettle in bullet, blitz, rapid, and daily formats.

Starting with a bullet rating around the 640 mark back in 2012, Anika’s rapid improvement is nothing short of impressive, rocketing to a peak bullet rating of 1705 in the near future year 2025 (or so her data suggests!). She’s demonstrated remarkable endurance, playing hundreds of games each year and maintaining nearly a 50% win rate in fast-paced formats where seconds matter and brains matter more.

But don’t mistake her for a speed demon only: her strategic depth shines brightest in daily and rapid chess, where she maintains a strong hold with average win rates above 60% in her favorite "Top Secret" opening (which we’ll never reveal, of course!). Also, she loves long endgames, sticking around for nearly 60 moves per victory, proving patience is her secret weapon.

With a comeback rate of nearly 76% and an almost Jedi-like 98% win rate after losing a piece, Anika embodies the phrase "never say die." She’s had epic winning streaks—up to 51 games—and now, despite taking the occasional loss, her competitive spirit never dips below par (or her tilt factor of 24, which is surprisingly modest for such a fierce competitor).

Anika’s playstyle favors steady progress and psychological warfare. She resigns early only about 4% of the time, preferring to battle hard through endgames, where 70% of her games see complex maneuvering. Whether wielding the white or black pieces, Anika holds an edge, slightly better when playing white, winning over 52% of those encounters.

Her most challenging opponents include the likes of “lynx1999,” against whom games have been tightly contested (winning about 48%), and “danfrank99,” presenting fierce rivalry with a nearly even score. But against others like “keuchr” and “mhishi_d,” she's a perfect 100%.

Off the board, Anika might just be plotting her next secret opening or working on her blitz reflexes, where she’s flirted with ratings close to 1900. On the board, she’s a force to be reckoned with—mixing fun, ingenuity, and the occasional surprise checkmate.

In short, Anika Du Plessis is not just a chess player; she's a chess artist and strategist who mixes speed, skill, and a sprinkle of mystery. Whether you're a fellow player or fan, her games are worth watching – after all, who can resist the charm of a Woman International Master with a dash of secret sauce?