Larbi Ben CM

Larbi Ben (larbiben) — Candidate Master, Blitz Specialist

Larbi Ben, known online as larbiben, is a witty and relentless Candidate Master (FIDE) whose chess life reads like a fast-paced blitz thriller. Famous for rapid tactical shots, a taste for the French, and a suspiciously strong relationship with the clock, Larbi has built a reputation in online blitz play and occasional rapid fireworks.

Playing Background & Personality

Larbi started grinding online time controls and quickly discovered that 3+0 and 5+0 felt like home. A mix of disciplined preparation and joyful improvisation, Larbi combines deep opening familiarity with a tendency to turn chaotic middlegames into dazzling tactics. Outside the board you'll find a sense of humor that crops up in post-game chat — sometimes apologizing, sometimes gloating, always human.

• Title: Candidate Master (FIDE)
• Preferred time control: Blitz — Larbi’s comfort zone and testing ground
• Best time of day to play: around 14:00 (prime attacking hours)

Highlights & Achievements

Larbi's career is marked by impressive peaks and memorable streaks — a player who can steamroll in short time controls and stage impressive comebacks when the chips are down.

• FIDE title: Candidate Master
• Peak blitz performance captured here: 2371 (2025-01-21)
• Notable streaks: longest winning streak 14 games; remarkable comeback ability with a high comeback rate
• Strong tournament and online showings across 2018–2025 (see trend):

Playing Style & Strengths

Larbi's style blends tactical vigilance with endgame persistence. He loves messy positions where pieces dance and pawns become unpredictable heroes. His metrics show a high Endgame frequency and a knack for winning after adverse material events — ideal for thrilling, swinging encounters.

• Style keywords: tactical, tenacious, practical in time trouble
• Psychological edge: strong comeback rate and solid performance after losing material
• Typical game length: decisive games often extend into complex endgames (average decisive length is long)

Openings & Repertoire

Larbi favors the French Defense family and the Sicilian Alapin when seeking unbalanced positions that reward precise tactics. He also keeps a bag of surprise systems to throw opponents off rhythm.

• Favorite defenses and lines: French Defense: Advance Variation, Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
• Broad repertoire: Scandinavian, Caro-Kann, and offbeat gambits when the mood strikes
• Notable performance: frequent success in Blitz with many wins using the Alapin and the French Advance

Frequent Opponents & Rivalries

Larbi has a handful of repeat opponents who have shaped many of his online battles — sometimes friendly rivals, sometimes nemeses.

• Most-played opponents:
  • inajok — 11 games (inajok)
  • bonihargenz — 10 games (bonihargenz)
  • chessbenny99 — 9 games (chessbenny99)
• Notable head-to-heads produce both teachable losses and satisfying wins — Larbi treats every repeat opponent as homework.

Sample Game (blitz spice)

Here’s a compact tactical sketch of Larbi’s style — short, sharp, and theatrical. Loadable in the viewer:

Fun Facts & Personality Bits

• Often jokes that his opening prep is "50% theory, 50% caffeine."
• Favored non-chess talent: convincing opponents to take on complications.
• SEO-friendly sign-off: Larbi Ben chess, Candidate Master Larbi Ben, larbiben blitz specialist — follow the games and enjoy the fireworks.

Want to explore more?

Peek into Larbi’s peak seasons and opening successes with the embedded resources above. For a quick stat snapshot: 2501 (2020-05-30) and 2371 (2025-01-21) are great starting points.