Hicham Taoufik

Hicham Taoufik (username: hicham-ta)

Meet Hicham Taoufik, a tenacious chess battler who proves every day that the game isn’t just black and white—it’s a whirlwind of surprises, strategy, and sometimes, a friendly tilt or two. With a rapid rating rollercoaster peaking at an impressive 330 in May 2025, Hicham’s journey is as thrilling as a knight’s fork in the late middle game.

Rapid chess is where Hicham shines — or at least fights gallantly — with 174 games clocked, split almost evenly between 81 wins and 81 losses, and a handful of draws to keep things spicy. The blitz scene, albeit brief, doesn’t escape his touch: one game, one win, one tiny moment of glory. Bullet? Well… let's just say it’s a work in progress, with a tough run of a couple losses and a draw, but hey, practice makes perfect!

Favorite Openings & Signature Moves

• Alekhine’s Defense Scandinavian Variation: Hicham’s pride and joy with a stunning 83% win rate here – a true tactical playground.
• Bishops Opening & Queen's Pawn Opening: Classic choices that show Hicham's taste for solid yet tricky positions, balancing wins and losses almost like a perfectly poised bishop.
• King’s Pawn Opening variations: That sweet spot where he scores a confident 60% win rate.

Speaking of style, Hicham mixes patience and tactical hustle, averaging about 49 moves per win but fewer in losses—gives "playing the long game" a new meaning. When the going gets tough, his comeback rate is a respectable 52%, proving that even when down a piece, he’s not out — though his win rate after losing material clocks in lower at around 37%. And yes, resignations happen, but hey, sometimes it’s smarter to save your brain cells for the next epic battle!

Quirks & Psychology

Hicham has an early resignation rate hovering near 19% — call it a strategic retreat, or a “no shame in admitting defeat” mindset. His best time to play? 1 PM sharp, when the caffeine kicks in and the brain goes into tactical overdrive (13:00 hours, for the purists). Monday looks like his power day with a 70% win rate — maybe someone’s Monday motivation is stronger than ours!

Notable Battles & Rivals

Among the gallery of foes, Hicham has an enviable 100% win record against players like polo9032 and jcesar_castillo, making these matchups highlights in his career. Yet not everyone bows easily; some opponents have turned the tables—looking at you, drdoom404. Regardless, those clashes fuel his hunger for improvement.

Recent Memorable Moments

One cannot forget the dramatic victory against PolO9032 in May 2025, where Hicham navigated the Alekhine’s Defense Scandinavian Variation with finesse, forcing resignation with an elegant knight and bishop dance. Then there was a classic bishop’s opening masterclass culminating in a checkmate against AndruD72, showcasing how Hicham’s aggressive yet calculated approach can overwhelm opponents, leaving them no choice but to tip over their king.

To sum it all up: Hicham Taoufik is a passionate chess enthusiast who embraces the wild ride of wins, losses, and those invaluable lessons in between. Never afraid to sacrifice a pawn or his pride, he continues to sharpen his game and keep opponents guessing — because in chess, as in life, sometimes you gotta take risks to win the throne.