Benoit Macret (aka Colin34230)
Benoit Macret, known in the chess world by his username Colin34230, is a rapid and blitz enthusiast whose chess journey in 2025 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. With a peak rapid rating of 493 in May 2025 and a blitz peak of 535 a couple of months earlier, Benoit has proven he can both calculate and blitz with the excitement of a caffeine-fueled grandmaster in the making.
Playing Style & Strengths
His favorite battleground is the Rapid format, where he accumulates a mix of gritty wins and nerve-testing losses, totaling more than 900 games played in 2025 alone. Not one to shy away from a tactical tussle, Benoit’s long average game lengths (around 55 moves per win) hint at a player who prefers to grind out opponents slowly rather than blitzing to a quick mate every time. Early resignations are rare—just 4.6%—meaning he fights until the very last pawn drops.
His comeback rate is impressive at nearly 77%, making him the ultimate chess phoenix rising from the ashes after losing a piece or being down in the score. Although his psychological tilt factor is a modest 6, he’s wise enough to avoid rage-quitting the board after a sudden blunder... mostly.
Opening Repertoire
Benoit’s opening choices are as classic as they come, with a fondness for the King's Pawn Opening, employed in nearly 300 rapid games. He also dips into the Queen's Pawn Opening and dabbles in the Alekhine's Defense, proving he likes a bit of spicy chess flavor. His blitz games reveal a similar pattern, although he occasionally spices things up with rarer defenses like the Englund Gambit just to keep opponents guessing—and panicked.
Recent Battles & Results
Benoit’s recent victories include a dramatic rapid win against manilpuri on May 30, 2025, showcasing his patience and tactical awareness by winning on time in a tense endgame full of queen antics and knight forks. His losses can sting—like the checkmate administered by sdr61 just days later—but these setbacks only fuel his determination to improve.
Quirks & Trivia
- Best time to catch Benoit online? Early mornings, especially around 8 AM, where his win rate peaks impressively.
- His favorite time control: Rapid games, followed by blitz; bullet is more of a workout than a passion.
- Psychology buff: Benoit tends to perform better under pressure, with a solid win percentage when playing black pieces.
- When asked about his secret weapon, he simply smiles and says, "It's all about the knights... and a bit of luck."
To sum up, Benoit Macret is the kind of player you want in your chess club: unpredictable, persevering, and delightfully human. If you face him online, expect a battle full of tactical skirmishes, strategic castles, and possibly a cheeky queen maneuver that will leave you scratching your head—and maybe sipping a calming drink afterward.