Elarbi Shop (Username: ghoias)
Meet Elarbi Shop, a passionate chess player whose journey reads like a rollercoaster with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of resilience. With a peak rapid rating of 1028 achieved back in September 2019, Elarbi has experienced the full spectrum of the chess battlefield – from crushing victories to tough lessons learned over the board. Whether battling in rapid, blitz, or daily games, ghoias embraces every moment with zeal (and occasionally a strategic resignation when the chips are down—about 9% of the time, to be exact).
Most comfortable stepping onto the 64 squares around 9 AM (their prime tactical hour), Elarbi boasts an impressive comeback rate of over 63%, proving never to count themselves out, even when the position looks grim. Their playing style tends to favor dynamic skirmishes, with an average of 46 moves per victory, showing patience tempered with cunning. Black pieces seem lucky in their hands, with a slightly better win rate (47.5%) versus White (44.75%), possibly because Elarbi enjoys turning tables and unsettling adversaries.
Opening preferences reveal a curious and versatile mind: the King’s Pawn Opening and Bishop’s Opening top the list for rapid games with respectable win rates above 50%. Not shy to experiment, they've danced with gambits and defenses from the crafty Mikenas Defense (70% win rate!) to the aggressive Englund Gambit. Blitz games might be shorter, but Elarbi still managed to leave a mark with a peak blitz rating of 550 in May 2025.
The record books show 232 wins against 242 losses in rapid chess, but the numbers barely tell the story of thrilling checkmates and nail-biting finishes. In fact, Elarbi has sealed over 100 victories by checkmate, outwitting opponents with a killer instinct. And don't be fooled by the occasional tilt factor of 8—it's just a sign of fiery passion for the game.
When asked about their opponents, Elarbi’s performance varies wildly—from flawless 100% win rates against some foes to learning experiences with others. Recent games include epic victories by checkmate and strategic resignations from opponents realizing they've met their match. Elarbi’s chessboard tales could fill volumes, but the essence is clear: here’s a player who fights tooth and nail with humor, heart, and a queen or two up their sleeve.
To catch one of Elarbi's recent masterpieces, check out their swift checkmate against "Ephemerism" in a live rapid battle on May 31, 2025 (Game link). It’s a reminder that in chess, as in life, cleverness and guts can deliver the final triumph—sometimes with a knight jump and a queen's daring dive.
