Player Profile: Marcelo Araujo (Username: kr3k)
Meet Marcelo Araujo, affectionately known in the chess world as kr3k, a player whose journey through the 64 squares is as dynamic as a rollercoaster ride—except he only screams silently inside his head (mostly). Starting his Blitz adventures around 2012, Marcelo has battled countless opponents, showcasing a fighting spirit that refuses to back down even when the odds aren’t always in his favor.
Rating Milestones & Style
Marcelo hit his peak Blitz rating of 1453 in July 2019, a respectable summit earned through a mix of brilliant tactics and, let's be honest, some lucky blunders. In Bullet, a format where reflexes meet madness, he soared to a high of 1047 in 2018. But it’s in Rapid chess where Marcelo’s patience shines—achieving a peak rating of 1341 as recently as February 2024, proving that speed isn't everything when you’ve got strategy and a strong coffee addiction.
Playing Style
With nearly 73% endgame frequency, Marcelo knows how to grind down his opponents long after the opening fireworks have fizzled out. His average moves per win hover around 60, suggesting that patience isn't just a virtue — it’s a secret weapon. Be warned: his comeback rate is a staggering 73.74%, meaning even if you think you’ve trapped him, there’s a good chance he’ll sneak out of the cage and deliver a counterpunch. Early resignations are rare (only about 1%) because Marcelo prefers to fight to the bitter end, often taking longer in losses due to stubborn resistance.
Favorite Openings & Tactics
Marcelo’s weapons of choice span several well-known lines. In Blitz, he has a fondness for the classic King’s Pawn Opening, where he boasts an impressive 55% win rate over 2,563 games — basically making it his trusty opening handshake. The French Defense Normal Variation and the Sicilian Defense Bowdler Attack indicate he's not afraid to get wild and messy. His Rapid games show a genuine love for the King’s Gambit family, especially the King’s Gambit Accepted Fischer Defense, where his win rate exceeds 56% — so yes, he’s both adventurous and effective.
Recent Form & Memorable Moments
Even seasoned warriors lose battles, and Marcelo’s recent losses often come from strong opponents wielding Scandinavian and Alekhine’s defenses. But in true kr3k style, he’s quick to bounce back — as his multiple recent wins demonstrate with precision mates and clever time scrambles. His latest victory featured a daring King's Gambit Accepted that showcased his love for sharp play and forced his opponent to succumb in under 42 moves.
Psychological Notes & Quirks
Marcelo’s tilt factor sits at a modest 20 (out of 100), meaning he’s mostly calm under fire — but don’t push your luck if you’re playing after 9 PM (21:00), his prime time for excellent performance. Interestingly, while almost half of his wins come with White pieces, his Black wins aren't far behind, proving resilience on both sides.
Fun Fact
Marcelo’s opponents include a colorful mix from frequent duels with whateveru and snaggllepuss, to those he has a perfect win record against like halssand and hamed_pm. Though his loss record sometimes paints a dramatic picture, Marcelo’s chess tale is one of perseverance, passion, and the eternal quest to yell “checkmate!” even if it’s only in his head.
So next time you face him on the board, beware — beneath that calm username lies a strategic mind and a tenacity that refuses to quit before the fat lady sings (or the rook sneaks in for the final check).
