Joel Banawa - The International Master with a Touch of Mystery
Also known by the username jb2mix, Joel Banawa is an International Master (IM) recognized by FIDE, a title that surely makes opponents think twice before challenging this formidable tactician.
Chess Journey & Playing Style
Joel’s style? Well, it’s a concoction of patient strategy and tactical fireworks sprinkled with a hint of psychological warfare. With an early resignation rate of less than 1%, Joel is not one to throw in the towel easily — unless it’s his opponent’s move to resign. His games tend to be battle marathons, averaging around 74 moves per win, so stamina and focus are definitely part of his toolkit.
He boasts a strong affinity for the Top Secret opening line, with nearly 50% wins in rapid and over 57% wins in blitz, proving that some secrets are worth keeping!
Peak Ratings & Strengths
- Blitz: Peaked at an impressive 2776 – that's nearly grandmaster territory in rapid-fire chess!
- Bullet: A sharp 2763 peak, showing lightning-fast reflexes.
- Rapid: Clocked a solid 2397.
- Daily chess: Perfect win record in 8 games, because sometimes slow and steady means always victorious.
Notable Stats & Quirks
Joel doesn’t just win; he fights back with an 81.87% comeback rate and maintains a decent 54.87% success rate after losing a piece. This shows that while many would panic upon material loss, Joel just gets more motivated to turn the tides.
Despite the serious chess pedigree, he also has a humorous tilt factor of 10 – a reminder that even champions have their off days, or maybe just sharpen their wit between moves.
Recent Battles
In his latest recorded triumph on May 14, 2025, Joel demonstrated his mastery over the Caro-Kann Defense (Exchange Variation), forcing his opponent to resign after a grueling struggle lasting over 70 moves. Not one to shy away from the classics, he plays with both tenacity and elegance.
Fun Fact
Joel’s favorite hour to outwit rivals? Apparently, 19:00 (7 pm) — chess is truly a prime-time drama in his world.
In Summary
Whether blitzing through games with nerves of steel or slowly outmaneuvering opponents in rapid matches, Joel Banawa (jb2mix) is a force to be reckoned with. A title-holder, statistician’s delight, and chessboard magician alike, he plays not just to win, but to entertain the endless dance of kings, queens, and pawns.