Alex Fishbein - Grandmaster of the 64 Squares
Known in the chess world by the enigmatic moniker DryCounty, Alex Fishbein is a Grandmaster who treats the chessboard like a personal playground. Awarded the prestigious Grandmaster title by FIDE, Alex’s journey is a testament to resilience, strategy, and the occasional well-timed checkmate.
Career Highlights & Playing Style
With a peak Blitz rating flirting with 2790 in March 2019, and a rapid rating soaring up to 2774 in late 2020, Alex has proven to be a force in the faster formats of the game. Whether racing against the clock or methodically calculating in rapid play, Alex combines tactical brilliance with a knack for thrilling comebacks — boasting an impressive comeback rate north of 90% after losing a piece.
His style? Expect long, grinding battles filled with deep endgames (happening in nearly 89% of his games), and an average winning game length of 84 moves that show just how much he enjoys a royal workout. But beware: his average game length in losses creeps higher, hinting at a stubborn refusal to give up — or maybe just a dramatic flair for dragging the suspense until the very end.
Stats and Grit
- Blitz Record: Over 8,300 wins (yes, thousands), 7,900 losses, and nearly 2,800 draws — clearly, Alex does not shy away from action!
- Rapid Mastery: Maintained a robust winning percentage of 58% in rapid, proving speed and precision are a lethal combo.
- Bullet Battles: Not just a blitz legend, Alex also holds his own in bullet chess, wielding an almost 50% win rate against the fastest of opponents.
- Longest Winning Streak: 17 games in a row. Clearly, when he’s hot, it’s smoking.
- Recent Highlights: Among his latest masterpieces is a dazzling victory by checkmate against “mortngabriel” on May 20, 2025, where his Sicilian Defense Open Dragon Classical Variation style led to a flawless finish.
Opening Wizardry
While most mortals keep their favorite openings to themselves, Alex’s performance with the Top Secret opening is nothing short of legendary, with over 19,000 blitz games logged and a solid 43.78% win rate. He’s also dabbled in a variety of Sicilian Defense variations, rocking the board and keeping opponents guessing.
On and Off the Board
Alex's psychological resilience is notable — with a tilt factor of 11 (so, yes, sometimes even grandmasters get a bit grumpy), proving that behind every calculated move is a fierce competitor who cares deeply about the game. He prefers the early morning hours for his best play, particularly around 11:00 AM, when the chess gods seem to bless him most.
Also, fun fact: Alex's winning chances spike sharply on Tuesdays and during the 6 AM hour. Coincidence? Probably not.
In Conclusion
Alex Fishbein is not just a player; he's an endurance athlete of the chess battlefield. Whether he's blitzing through dozens of rapid-fire games or tactically coaching his pieces through a marathon endgame, the grandmaster’s name stands tall — respected by peers, feared by opponents, and admired by fans. If chess were a marathon, Alex’s legs would be unbreakable, and his spirit indomitable.