Salim Moumen

Salim Moumen — aka Hokage987

Salim Moumen, better known in the virtual chess battleground as Hokage987, is a resilient chess player whose journey reads like an epic novel sprinkled with tactical adventures and near escapes. With a peak rapid rating of 1216 achieved in April 2023, Salim has proven himself a force to reckon with on the 64-square battlefield, finesse and fiery spirit combined.

Chess Journey & Playing Style

Starting from a humble rapid rating of around 1155 in late 2021, Salim's persistence is evident in an impressive tally of over 1300 rapid games, winning more than 700 of them — quite the marathon! His playing style favors methodical endgames, with more than half of his games going deep into the endgame phase, showing a stamina fit for a grandmaster (or at least a grand coffee drinker).

Known for his psychological resilience, with a comeback rate over 70%, this tactician doesn’t give up easily even after losing a piece — nearly 46% of the time he fights back for a win or draw, proving that chess isn’t just about the pieces; it’s about the mindset. He tends to average about 55 moves in his wins, savoring each battle like a true strategist.

Opening Repertoire & Favorite Battles

Salim has a fondness for classical openings. The King’s Pawn Opening (e4) is his calling card in rapid games, boasting a solid ~58% win rate over 79 battles. He also likes mixing it up with the Italian Game, the Scotch Game, and even the Philidor Defense—with win rates good enough to make opponents second guess their openings. Against Caro Kann defenders? Well, let's just say Salim hasn’t quite warmed up to them, winning only about 41% of the time.

In blitz and bullet formats, while fewer games played, Salim shows flashes of brilliance opening with the Scotch and even unleashing surprise moves with the Nimzowitsch or Scandinavian defenses. Though the ratings dip a bit under time pressure, his strategic core remains.

Highlights & Memorable Games

Salim’s longest winning streak is a formidable 12 games, reminding us all that when he's on a roll, the chessboard better watch out! However, like every hero’s tale, there have also been rough patches — an 11-game losing streak testing his resolve and humor.

His recent victory against swaamadelic featured a sharp Scandinavian Defense where Salim tactically outmaneuvered his opponent, snagging a queen-side advantage and winning decisively within 21 moves. The game is a testament to his sharp eye for dynamic chances and iron will to press on.

Personal Trivia

His preferred time to play? The mystical chess hour of 1 AM — when the mind is sharpest and the pawns fear the shadows. With an early resignation rate of only about 3.1%, Salim fights hard, making sure opponents earn every victory. His winning chances are slightly better with White (54% wins), but black pieces have not intimidated him either.

Salim’s encounters with his most frequent opponent, julienfati, are legendary in their own right, boasting a healthy ~73% win record. A rivalry that undoubtedly fuels many epic games.

Summary

In short, Salim Moumen (Hokage987) is a passionate player, steadily climbing the rating ladder with solid fundamentals, a knack for comebacks, and a quiet determination that would make even the toughest grandmasters nod in respect. Whether battling in rapid, blitz, or daily games, Salim approaches each match ready to learn, win, or sometimes lose with grace — always ready for the next opening gambit.