Edwin Takura - aka BangZ99
Meet Edwin Takura, better known in the chess world by his username BangZ99. A player whose rating rollercoaster resembles a thrilling thriller with unexpected twists—starting from modest beginnings in early 2024, Edwin skyrocketed to a rapid chess peak of 547 in February 2025. While his blitz and bullet ratings might make some casual fans chuckle—maxing out at 249 and 288 respectively—Don’t let that fool you; his rapid games are where the magic happens.
Career Highlights & Playing Style
Edwin’s preferred battleground is rapid chess, where he’s logged over 1,124 wins and nearly as many losses, proving that he loves a good, hard-fought battle. His win rate hovers right around 50%, showing he's a fighter willing to gamble and learn from every opponent. Known for a penchant for early resignations in about 8% of his games (hey, who has time for hopeless positions?), he tends to stretch games out with an average of around 54 moves whether he wins or loses. That's stamina and patience for you!
With an endgame frequency of over 52%, Edwin’s no stranger to the technical and crunchy final phase of chess, making opponents sweat in those tight positions. His tactical awareness is impressive too, boasting a comeback rate near 72%—he never says die! Though one-sided losses happen under 13% of the time, it’s clear that when under fire, Edwin fights back fiercely.
Favorite Openings
On the opening front, Edwin favors the Queen’s Pawn Opening, playing it almost half the time with a solid 47% win rate—sometimes balanced by equal parts victory and defeat. He’s also an enthusiast of the Englund Gambit, a cheeky and rather aggressive choice, where his win rate actually climbs over 56% in rapid games. Who knew gambling a pawn could be so effective?
Quirks & Stats That Make You Go “Hmm”
- Best Time to Play: 4 AM—when the world is quiet and so are his opponents’ defenses.
- Win Rates by Day: Sundays are the real deal with over 52% wins, so maybe save those weekend chess marathons for then.
- Psychological Tilt Factor: 13 – Edwin’s human, he gets ruffled but bounces back like a champ.
- White vs Black: Slight edge playing White with almost 50% win rate, but don’t count him out playing Black either!
Memorable Games
Some highlights from the recent battles in his chess battlefield:
- Victorious Queen’s Pawn Opening deathblow: On May 30, 2025, Edwin executed a checkmate in a swift 16 moves, slicing through his opponent's defenses like a hot knife through butter.
- A resignation victory: Just a day before, he secured a win in a Philidor Defense matchup by outmaneuvering his adversary into capitulation.
- Close calls and tough losses: Even top barons take a hit; May 30 also saw him face defeat against a crafty opponent named Pav1eka, showcasing that the game is never over until the king falls.
In a Nutshell
Edwin Takura, aka BangZ99, is the kind of player who embraces the chaotic and beautiful dance of chess with enthusiasm and a pinch of humor. Rapid chess is his realm, where his resilience and tactical nous shine brightest. Whether employing daring gambits or patiently grinding out endgames, Edwin’s journey tells a story of persistence, grit, and the occasional cheeky sacrificial pawn. The chess world awaits his next move—hopefully not at 4 AM, but hey, we won't judge.
