Granit Latifi

Granit Latifi - The Endgame Enthusiast

Also known by the username granitbabaa, Granit Latifi is a chess player whose journey on the 64 squares is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. With a peak rapid rating just over 1000 and a blitz high in the high 900s, Granit’s game is a blend of valiant comebacks, tactical scrambles, and occasional early resignations that tell stories of both joy and heartbreak.

Chess Odyssey

Starting strong back in early 2021 with a rapid rating peak of 1025, Granit has braved the challenges of competitive chess through fluctuating fortunes. Not one to shy away from a tough battle, the player’s remarkable comeback rate of nearly 80% showcases a fighting spirit that refuses to quit, even after losing key pieces.

Though the current rapid rating sits around 455, and the bullet games have experienced some fierce ups and downs (averaging a modest 286 recently), every loss seems to feed the warrior within for the next clash. Indeed, Granit’s longest losing streak was a daunting 14, followed by a fresh challenge ready to be seized.

Tactical Play & Style

With an endgame frequency around 46%, Granit loves those gritty final stages of the game—because who doesn’t enjoy the sweet tension of a pawn race or a king hunt? Moves per win and loss suggest battles that can stretch well beyond the opening traps and middle-game skirmishes.

Interestingly, Granit’s preferred openings include the Queen's Pawn Opening Horwitz Defense, boasting a rare 100% rapid win rate in small sample sizes, and the classic King's Pawn Opening variations. Whether unleashing a Bird's Opening Dutch Variation in blitz or experimenting with the Scotch Game, Granit keeps opponents on their toes.

Memorable Moments

Granit's last celebrated victory came with a brilliant checkmate using the Queen's Pawn Opening Horwitz Defense—finishing with a precise Qxb7#. That game was a showcase of calculated aggression and seizing opportunity, proving that sometimes persistence truly pays off.

On the flip side, losses against tough adversaries like “Goatnik” and “kaqilupa” remind us of the humbling nature of chess—and the importance of never giving up (even if the opponent’s bishop captures your bishop on a3... ouch!).

Psychological Signature

With a tilt factor of 14, Granit experiences the fun and fury of emotional swings that many a chess player knows too well. Yet, unlike many, the best time to catch this player online is an unusual 3 AM — the hour when most sleep, Granit sharpens the mind and hunts for wins under the stars.

Whether grinding through losses or riding the waves of victory, Granit embodies the true spirit of chess: learning, adapting, and continuously striving to outwit, outlast, and outplay.