Joseph Levine - International Master
Born to a chessboard and raised by pawns, Joseph Levine, known online as ClydeHillKid, is an International Master who has made the 64 squares his playground. With a rating peak touching the stratosphere—an astonishing 2944 in bullet chess and 2832 in blitz as of mid-2024—Joseph's career is nothing short of a rollercoaster of sharp tactics and strategic wizardry.
His journey from modest beginnings (peaking under 900 in blitz back in 2013) to conquering the blitz scene with nearly 7000 wins is the stuff of legend. Joseph doesn’t just play chess; he practically dances with it, engaging opponents with a blend of mysterious "Top Secret" opening moves—and a surprising fondness for the Nimzowitsch Larsen Attack in various disguises. When asked about his favorite opening, he just smiles knowingly, as if guarding a secret only a few pawns have overheard.
An aficionado of long battles, Joseph averages over 76 moves per victory, proving patience is a virtue—even when your clock is merciless. With an endgame frequency that’s almost 80%, you can bet the man knows how to grind out wins when it counts. His tactical savvy is highlighted by an 81.85% comeback rate: don’t count him out when the chips are down, because Joseph’s the guy who turns the tables when you least expect it.
Psychological resilience? Check. The world of chess can be a tough arena, but Joseph's tilt factor is a modest 29, meaning he takes losses like a champ—and occasionally blames the dog for knocking over the chess clock. Fun fact: his winning streak record stands at a cool 32 games, with a current losing streak as a humble 3.
Joseph’s online footprint reads like a who’s who of opponents, from sparring regularly with "giantgoogachess" to schooling challengers in over 13,700 blitz games. His versatility shines across all formats, boasting positive win-loss records in bullet, blitz, rapid, and daily chess. And if you peek at his time-of-day stats, you’ll notice he’s a midday warrior, peaking around noon—when the coffee is strong and the kings tremble.
Recent Highlights
In a recent game on June 3, 2025, Joseph executed a beautiful checkmate victory with the Black pieces, showcasing his mastery over the French Defense’s normal variation. In another nail-biter, he clinched a win on time using the tricky Nimzowitsch Larsen Attack, proving his opponents better keep their clocks close.
Of course, even legends stumble. Joseph's recent losses remind us that chess is a game of endless learning and humility, with tough matches against strong rivals like "arminmusovic" and "hakob-hakobyan-arm." Yet every defeat is just fuel for the next brilliant attack or cunning defense.
Whether online or over-the-board, Joseph Levine is a force to be reckoned with—a player who treats chess not just as a game but an art form, occasionally sprinkled with a pinch of humor and a dash of mystery. After all, in Joseph’s world, every move tells a story and every bishop might just be a secret agent in disguise.