Ilyass Msellek IM

Ilyass Msellek (aka chegueps)

International Master of the Chess Realm

Meet Ilyass Msellek, a formidable International Master who has been quietly storming the chessboard with a blend of tactical brilliance and occasional cheeky flair. Known online as "chegueps," their journey is a wild rollercoaster of ratings, wins, and a few humbling losses – because what’s a great chess story without learning from a couple of blunders?

Starting modestly on the blitz scene with a rating barely scraping 1300 in early 2014, Ilyass quickly raced ahead, cracking the 2700 barrier in blitz by 2023, peaking at a remarkable 2868 in April 2025. Bullet chess is another playground for them, reaching a peak rating of 2802, proving their speed chess skills could rival a caffeinated cheetah on a caffeine-fueled spree.

Playing Style & Personality

Ilyass's games are usually a marathon rather than a sprint, averaging about 77 moves in wins and 83 moves in losses in blitz – definitely a thinker who enjoys the long haul. Their win rates skew a bit higher playing white (55.19%) but never underestimate their grit when rocking the black pieces (48.72%). With a comeback rate exceeding 87%, it's clear that losing a piece is rarely the end of the world or the game – just another opportunity to outwit the opponent!

Surprisingly, early resignations are rare (less than 1%), showing that once Ilyass sits at the board, they fight until the bitter end. Their psychological tilt factor is low, meaning if chess nerves were a diet soda, this player would be sugar-free.

Signature Openings & Moves

While many players swear by their "secret sauce," Ilyass thrives on a mysterious concoction simply called "Top Secret," boasting over 4,000 blitz games with an even 50% win rate – a secret well worth guarding. They also dabble in the Philidor Defense Hanham Lion, Pirc Defense, and the Queens Pawn Opening Torre Attack, suggesting a penchant for flexible, strategic chess.

Recent Memorable Moments

A recent triumph over German_Bazeev showcased a careful and gritty endgame victory in the Queen’s Pawn Opening Torre Attack, finishing with a precise pawn push (76th move) that left their opponent gasping for air. However, even the best stumble: a tough loss on time against moroccanchess23 in a sharp Caro-Kann Defense Tartakower Variation reminds us that time management matters — especially when your opponent’s clock ticks as loudly as their rook!

Off the Board

Outside the 64 squares, Ilyass's tenacity and humor make them a beloved figure in the chess community. Whether it's bouncing back from a double blunder or maintaining composure when their opponent pulls a wild gambit, "chegueps" combines deep strategy with the grace of someone who knows chess isn’t just a game — it's an epic saga full of drama, triumph, and occasionally, a little chaos.

Keep your eyes peeled. This IM is in it for the long game... and the laughs.