Keith Arkell GM

About Keith Arkell

Keith Arkell is a seasoned chess Grandmaster known for his rich experience and deep strategic insight. With a career spanning many years, Arkell has demonstrated both resilience and tactical prowess on the chessboard, cementing his reputation among chess enthusiasts worldwide.

Playing Style & Strengths

Arkell’s games often reveal a preference for deep, strategic battles with an emphasis on endgame mastery. Known for his patience, his matches frequently average over 78 moves per game, highlighting his enduring focus and tenacity.

• Strong endgame frequency: 83% of his games go into the endgame phase
• High comeback rate: Successfully turns around lost positions over 85% of the time
• Average first capture on move 6, indicating a cautious opening approach
• White win rate stands at an impressive 63%, while black holds steady at 53%
• Prefers classical pawn structures and well-studied openings

Time Controls & Performance

Although Arkell excels in all formats, his strength shines in faster games:

• Blitz: Achieved a peak rating of 2606 in April 2022
• Bullet: Peaked at 2411 rating, showing remarkable speed and accuracy

His bullet and blitz records suggest a strong adaptation to time pressure, with a noticeable winning edge especially in bullet chess where his win rate approaches 68%.

Favorite Openings

Arkell has a versatile opening repertoire but has shown particular skill in several key openings:

• Blitz favorites:
  • King's Indian Defence: Normal Variation, King's Knight Variation — though challenging, he holds a respectable 41% win rate
  • Indian Defence with e6, Nf3 — a standout with a 71% win rate
  • Caro-Kann Defense — over 57% win rate in blitz, showing solid defensive skills
  • Queen's Pawn: 1...e6 2.Nf3 — impressive 80% win rate
• Bullet favorites:
  • Queen’s Pawn: 1...e6 2.Nf3 — an outstanding 74% win rate
  • Benoni Defense: Old Benoni — 67% win rate demonstrates his attacking comfort
  • Caro-Kann: 2.Nf3 — a reliable choice with 75% wins
  • Neo-Old Indian: 2.Nf3 — perfect 100% win rate, challenge anyone brave enough!

Notable Psychological & Tactical Traits

• Rarely calls it quits early — early resignation rate below 1%
• Handles pressure like a pro with a tilt factor of just 7 (that's chess-speak for “cool under fire”)
• Best performance peak in the evening around 8 PM, perfect timing for night owls
• More victories when playing on Mondays — the perfect antidote to Monday blues!
• Wins frequently by resignation — opponents nodding off to his relentless pressure?

Records & Streaks

Keith Arkell has proven himself a formidable opponent across a wide spectrum of challengers:

• Longest winning streak: An incredible 19 games in a row
• Current winning streak: Riding high with 3 consecutive wins
• Strong record against top-paying opponents and new challengers alike