Josiah Stearman - International Master & Streamer Extraordinaire
Known online as josiwales, Josiah Stearman is an International Master recognized by FIDE, and a force to be reckoned with across the chessboard and streaming platforms alike.
Chess Career
Josiah has amassed experience that spans from blitz to bullet and daily games, showcasing both speed and strategic depth. With a peak blitz rating soaring up to 2915 in June 2020, and a bullet peak rating of 3042 in March 2021, Josiah dances dangerously fast across the board—sometimes faster than your WiFi can keep up.
This player's openings repertoire is no less impressive, favoring variations like the Closed Sicilian Defense Fianchetto Variation with a solid win rate near 59% in blitz, and the aggressive Van t Kruijs Opening in bullet, winning over half of the nearly 3,000 games played with it.
Playing Style & Psychological Edge
With a comeback rate of over 81%, Josiah has the spirit of a phoenix rising from tactical ashes. A meticulous strategist, their games tend to have deep endgames, averaging roughly 71 moves per win.
The winning rates speak volumes — 55.4% when playing white and a respectable 50.7% with black. Though their tilt factor clocks in at a cheeky 71, they more than make up for it with a top-notch tactical awareness that keeps opponents on their toes.
Streamer Life & Gaming Highlights
Outside tournament halls and virtual matches, Josiah engages with fans and followers on streaming platforms, blending humor with grandmaster-level play. It's like watching a chess bot meet a stand-up comedian — thrilling and occasionally unpredictable.
Recent games underline Josiah's prowess: a beautiful checkmate victory using the Scandinavian Defense Modern Variation and a cunning win by time control in the wild Grob Gambit remind us why underestimating this player is a mistake.
Fun Fact
Josiah's longest winning streak is a staggering 24 games, proving they heat up faster than a freshly brewed cup of coffee at 10 AM — their best time of day to play!
And if all else fails, just remember: Josiah’s favorite termination? Resignation. Because even opponents know when it's better to throw in the towel.