Benjamin Haldorsen IM

Benjamin Haldorsen: The International Master with a Tactical Flair

Meet Benjamin Haldorsen, more succinctly known in the online chess community as benhal, a formidable International Master courtesy of FIDE. From the early days when his blitz rating tiptoed around 1058 in 2014 to an awe-inspiring peak of 2701 just a decade later, Benjamin’s chess journey is nothing short of epic. If chess were a mountain, he’s been climbing it one brilliant blitz game at a time — and trust us, he’s not even using oxygen tanks!

Chess Style & Strengths

With an impressive longest winning streak of 17 games and a tactical awareness that gives him an 83.88% comeback rate, Benjamin thrives on turning the tables. Losing a piece? Just another setup for his 54.22% win after losing a piece magic trick. His games are no quick sprints either—he averages over 73 moves per win, proving that patience and strategy are the keys to his kingdom.

When he’s playing White, Benjamin enjoys a solid 57.88% win rate, while Black pieces are nothing to sneeze at either with a respectable 53.73% win rate. And for those who doubt midnight creativity, his “best time of day to play” is exactly at midnight—because what better time to outsmart your opponent than while everyone else is asleep?

Opening Repertoire: The Secret Weapons

Benjamin’s opening repertory reads like a spy novel—his signature “Top Secret” opening sees more than 4,900 games with a winning percentage just shy of 54%. He’s also not shy to dabble in the Closed Sicilian, Alapin Sicilian, and English Opening variations, often delivering a perfect 100% win rate in these niche lines. Clearly, he’s a player who keeps his opponents guessing, sometimes questioning if what they faced was even legal chess!

Recent Feats: Checkmate with Style

Benjamin’s latest win was nothing short of cinematic—a winning checkmate on May 28, 2025, capped by clinical precision in the Alapin Sicilian Defense. Within just 55 minutes, he transformed a balanced position into a smothering net, leaving his opponent with no escape. A nod to his mastery in blitz, where every second counts and every move tells a story.

Win-Loss Story

Over thousands of blitz battles, Benjamin boasts a formidable record: 2716 victories, 1966 losses, and 345 draws. Like any brilliant general, he has his moments off the battlefield, but his ability to rebound is what defines his career. His longest losing streak is a mere 11 games—almost like a brief coffee break before unleashing more winning streaks.

Personality and Quirks

With an early resignation rate of just 2%, Benjamin is not one to throw in the towel without a fight. His tilt factor sits comfortably at 11, indicating he can handle the pressure (and occasional rage) like a champ. His style prefers intricate endgames, showing that for Benjamin, chess is both an art and a science—a marathon rather than a sprint.

Whether it’s blitz, bullet, daily, or rapid, Benjamin Haldorsen proves that with grit, wits, and a splash of unpredictability, reaching the upper echelons of chess is achievable—and maybe even fun. Watch out though, because when benhal sits at the board, your king might just have a very short vacation!

Follow his games and witness chess wizardry in motion.