Mahmoud Oraby (aka bandosh) - The Chess Journeyman
Meet Mahmoud Oraby, better known to the chess world as bandosh, a player whose rating journey tells a tale of resilience, growth, and the bravery to keep playing even after some spectacular stumbles. Starting with a modest Rapid rating of just 145 in 2023, he catapulted himself into the mid-600s by 2024 and impressively pushed beyond 700 by 2025 – proving that slow and steady (plus a bit of stubbornness) wins the race.
Chess Style and Skills
Bandosh favors the Rapid format, where he boasts nearly even wins and losses (344 wins to 327 losses), showing he’s no stranger to both victory and defeat. His openings repertoire reads like a traveler’s passport: from the King’s Pawn Opening (with an admirable 46% win rate) to the elusive Bishop's Opening, which he dominates with a thrilling 78.5% win rate. If you ever face him, beware his comfort zones: the King's Pawn Opening Kings Knight Variation and Queen's Pawn Opening Horwitz Defense come with win rates above 58% and 61%, respectively.
Comebacks and Endgames
Ever the fighter, bandosh has a fantastic 63.66% comeback rate, meaning don’t count on him quitting even if he's lost a piece – in fact, his win rate after losing a piece is a heroic 100% (take that, adversity!). He loves the endgame too, making it to the final skirmishes in over half his games.
Psychological Quirks & Habits
Like many warriors of the 64 squares, Mahmoud isn’t immune to the tilt monster, though he manages it better than most with a tilt factor of 8 on a mysterious scale of stress. His early resignation rate is a humble 8.71%, so he usually tries to fight to the end—even if the computer is shouting “game over!”.
Noteworthy Moments
One of bandosh’s most recent crowning glories came in 2025 during a rapid game where he masterfully orchestrated a win in the Scotch Game, forcing his opponent to resign after a tactical onslaught involving queens and bishops dancing around the board in perfect harmony.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- Favorite time to play? Between 17:00 and 23:00 hours, where his win rate can soar above 50%, peaking at an impressive 62% at 23:00—late-night genius strikes!
- Despite dabbling in Bullet and Blitz formats, these are clearly not his forte yet—perhaps patience is his secret weapon.
- His longest winning streak is 6 games—proof he can be merciless when the stars align.
The Opponents’ Perspective
Bandosh has battled endlessly with frequent foes, notably diaaoraby whom he has squared off 17 times. He has a mixed bag there but has managed to edge some wins. Interestingly, many opponents like micayoung and roshengp have no chance, with bandosh clinching a full 100% win rate against them. Meanwhile, a zero-percent win rate against others suggests there’s always room to improve—and stories of humbling defeats to remind him he’s human.
In Summary
Mahmoud “bandosh” Oraby is the embodiment of a passionate chess player’s journey—rising through the ranks with a mix of perseverance, strategic depth, and cheeky opening choices. He may lose, but he never surrenders early, fights back fiercely, and consistently entertains everyone watching on the virtual battlefield.
