Kerem Karaman

Kerem Karaman – The Relentless Blitz Samurai

Meet Kerem Karaman, known in chess circles (and online) as keremlica. A player whose blitz rating rocket-launched from a humble 242 in October 2024 all the way up to a staggering peak of 2668 in March 2025. Yes, you read that right—Kerem doesn't just play blitz; he blitzes through opponents like a lightning bolt, making bishops and knights quake in their boots.

Kerem’s bullet rating isn’t far behind either, hitting a peak of 1812 in April 2025—proving he’s just as deadly when the clock is ticking at breakneck speed. Rapid tactics? Peaking at 1251, Kerem shows that even with a bit more time, he’s got the chops to outsmart the competition.

Style of Play

Blessed with a comeback rate of over 81%, Kerem is the chess equivalent of a boomerang—no matter how far you throw him down, he comes swinging back. He wins more than 65% of games when playing white and keeps a solid 61% win rate even with black. Also, he averages around 65 moves in winning games, showing patience and strategic depth that might surprise his opponents expecting a rush.

Fun fact: Kerem resigns early only 7.5% of the time, so don’t expect him to throw in the towel easily. His psychological resilience is as strong as his opening repertoire.

Favourite Openings

• Scandinavian Defense – 56.6% win rate over 53 games. Kerem loves to surprise his opponents by diving straight into the heart of the battle.
• Indian Game – His personal playground with a solid 64.1% win rate.
• Queen's Pawn Opening (Chigorin Variation) – A juicy 72.22% win rate, where Kerem dances on the edges of chaos with grace.
• Van 't Kruijs Opening – Apparently so good it even helped Kerem seal a recent win against a 100-rated opponent… in just a couple of moves.

Wins, Losses and Draws

With a blitz record boasting 469 wins (against 224 losses and 45 draws), Kerem Karaman can confidently say he’s no stranger to victory. His longest winning streak stands at a jaw-dropping 35 games — a feat that surely left many blinking twice.

Memorable Moments

Among his recent triumphs is a delightfully short match where keremlica dispatched ibrahimsametsefa with an endgame so swift it practically ended before the opponent could blink:

1. e3 e6 2. f4 Nf6 0-1 (game abandoned less than 2 minutes in)

Kerem’s games aren’t just about wins — they’re storytelling in real time, with plot twists involving checkmates, tough comebacks, and a signature mix of patience and aggression.

Playing Hours

His prime time? Around 7 PM, when his win rate hits a soaring 75%. Clearly, this is when Kerem’s brain switches into overdrive mode.

The Final Word

Whether battling in bullet blitz or the "slower" rapid formats, Kerem Karaman epitomizes resilience, tactical sharpness, and a dash of chess humor. Opponents beware — keremlica plays like a whirlwind but strategizes like a grandmaster-in-the-making. If you find yourself facing him, better bring your best moves... and a strong coffee.