Ivana Hrescak (le_poisson) - Woman International Master
Ivana Hrescak, who also plays under the handle le_poisson, is a Woman International Master recognized by FIDE. A quick-witted tactician with a taste for complex middlegames, Ivana is best known online for dynamic Rapid games and a tendency to turn chaotic positions into winning plans. Expect fighting chess, long endgames, and the occasional cheeky queen sortie.
Career highlights and profile snapshot
- Title: Woman International Master (WIM).
- Preferred time control: Rapid. Ivana often shines when the clock is moderate and the ideas get time to breathe.
- Notable peak: 2201 (2020-08-15) in Rapid play and a strong track record across Blitz and Bullet.
- Strong comeback ability: high comeback rate in tactical situations and resilience in down material positions.
- For a compact rating trend, see this Rapid rating overview:
Playing style
Ivana plays an energetic, tactical brand of chess that often leads to long, decisive battles. A few style markers based on match data:
- Endgame frequency is high, so expect many games to reach deeper phases.
- Average game length is long for both wins and losses, showing a willingness to grind rather than take short draws.
- Excellent comeback rate and decent win rate after material loss. Those down-to-the-wire wins are part of the charm.
- Timing matters: Ivana posts some of the best win rates in the late evening and early morning hours.
Openings and repertoire
Ivana's opening choices mix classical solidity with sharp counterplay. She is comfortable on both sides of the board and experiments with a range of systems.
- As White: varied first moves and strong results with central and queen pawn systems.
- As Black: frequent use of Caro-Kann Defense and many games in the Sicilian Defense family.
- Other favored lines seen in data: Four Knights Game and Queen's Gambit structures.
Memorable opponents and games
Ivana has built rivalries and streaks with several regular opponents. A few highlights:
- Strong run vs Diana Mirza - undefeated across multiple encounters, a rivalry to watch.
- Dominant scores vs templarwarrior2kk and several other frequent opponents.
- Sample game to explore: View Game
Fun facts and extras
- Average first capture occurs late relative to bullet specialists, indicating strategic maneuvering before tactics.
- Ivana loves the grind: very high average moves per decisive game, so bring snacks.
- Cheeky habit: occasional early resignations when the position is truly hopeless, but many dramatic comebacks too.
- Try a short model opening line from Ivana's playbook below:
Replay a sample opening:
Explore more of Ivana's profile: Ivana Hrescak