Ben Al-shami NM

Ben Al-shami: The National Master with a Knack for Bullet Chess

Ben Al-shami, also known in the online chess world as iwant2lose (a name that might just be a sly bluff), is a National Master recognized by the National federation. With a love for bullet chess that’s almost legendary, Ben has battled through tens of thousands of games, boasting a peak bullet rating of 2344 achieved in October 2021, and an explosive blitz peak rating soaring to 2473 as recently as November 2024.

Ben’s journey through the 64 squares is nothing short of epic. Racking up over 45,000 bullet games with a respectable win-loss ratio that tells tales of fierce competition and a relentless fighting spirit, Ben is the kind of player who thrives under pressure—and speed. Their playing style features a deep tactical awareness with an impressive 81.5% comeback rate after setbacks, proving that Ben’s not one to quit early (except, perhaps, in those rare moments of early resignation that make up less than 1 in 400 games).

Fair warning to opponents: Ben’s favorite openings include the Old Benoni Defense and Sicilian Defense variations, wielded with an attack-minded flair. Their win rates in these complex openings hover around or above 50%, making it clear that Ben’s opening repertoire isn’t just for show—they’re ready to fight for every pawn and position.

One of Ben’s trademarks is their checkmate prowess, with nearly 10,000 wins by glorious checkmate finishes across time controls. Their average winning game in bullet chess runs about 63 moves, which is quite impressive for the lightning-fast time controls they often favor, showing that quick thinking doesn’t sacrifice depth.

Outside the board, Ben’s record hints at a player who’s as balanced as their play: a slight edge when playing with White (48.6%) and fearless guts with the Black pieces (45.6%). With a tilt factor kept admirably low at 16, and their best hour to play being the magical 8 PM slot, it’s clear Ben knows how to keep calm while others scramble to keep up.

Ben’s recent games showcase a flair for bold gambits and dynamic middle-game complications—often finishing games with a swift checkmate or an impeccable time victory. Whether crushing opponents on time or outsmarting them on the board, Ben Al-shami proves chess is as much about wit and nerves as it is about pieces and squares.

So next time you sit across from iwant2lose, be ready. Because when it comes to bullet, blitz, and rapid, Ben Al-shami isn’t here to lose—they’re here to win fast, furious, and with a smile that says, “Did you really think I wanted to lose?”

Trivia: Despite the username, Ben has an 81.5% comeback rate; so they might lose a battle or two, but never the war!

For more on their exploits, check out one of their recent crushing victories by checkmate on Chess.com (game link) where precision and aggression meet in a beautiful dance.