Zaki Ananda (aka ayawwy) - The Chess Adventurer
Meet Zaki Ananda, a rapidly evolving chess warrior whose rating has seen fair swings — from a high-flying 354 in Rapid play (November 2024) down to a humble 221 by March 2025. In Blitz battles, Zaki has struck an impressive peak rating of 465 in February 2025, only to settle around the mid-200s. If resilience were a sport, Zaki would be champion: a comeback rate near 47%, refusing to quit even when losing material — winning about 36% of those games!
With over 200 Rapid games and roughly 70 Blitz duels under the belt, Zaki is no stranger to the grind. White pieces bring a modest 50% win rate, while Black pieces challenge opponents with a 39% success rate. The road has had its bumps: a longest losing streak of 9 games reminds us all that even heroes trip — but the current winning streak of 2 games is a testament to persistence.
Signature Openings and Tactical Quirks
- Rapid favorites: The King's Pawn Opening, a classic battlefield, where Zaki holds steady with ~48% wins.
- Blitz specialties: Scandinavian Defense (Mieses-Kotrc Variation) shines brightest — winning over 57% of the time.
- Opening surprises: Bishops Opening reigns supreme with an 83% win rate in Rapid — take that, opponents!
Playing Style & Psychological Signature
Never the quitter, but also no demigod: Zaki resigns nearly 30% of the time, proving sometimes tactical retreats are just fine — especially if you plan a comeback. Endgames occur in about a third of games, showing a preference for not rushing to early draws. Moves per win average around 47, indicating a willingness to battle patiently for that sweet victory glory.
Fun fact: Zaki is most fearsome after 6 PM, boasting a stunning 67% win rate around chess’s golden hour. The tilt factor is surprisingly low (9), so losing a few games here and there just fuels the fire for a stronger comeback.
Memorable Recent Triumph
On April 22, 2025, Zaki (playing White) demonstrated masterful patience and sharp tactics using the Scandinavian Defense Mieses-Kotrc Variation to defeat FellowFrog — winning on time but visibly controlling the board by move 18. Bold pawn pushes and knight maneuvers gave the crowd a chess drama filled with suspense and victory.
In Summary
Zaki Ananda's chess profile is one of a tenacious gladiator who embraces the ups and downs of the game with good humor and tactical flair. Whether blazing through Blitz or grinding in Rapid, Zaki's games tell stories of fierce encounters, brilliant ideas, and the occasional glorious blunder that only adds to the charm. Here’s to many more battles on the 64 squares!
