Stefano Barnabà

Stefano Barnabà (aka LL-NeoZzo)

Meet Stefano Barnabà, a chess gladiator whose blitz games are as dynamic as a rollercoaster ride—fast, furious, and full of unexpected turns! With a peak blitz rating soaring to an impressive 389 in June 2025, Stefano’s rapid and bullet skills don’t stay far behind, boasting peak ratings of 569 and 331 respectively. Whether it’s lightning-fast bullet or strategic rapid, Stefano’s versatility keeps opponents guessing and spectators entertained.

Playing Style & Strengths

A master of comebacks, Stefano’s comeback rate is a stunning 63.77% — if you thought you had him on the ropes, think again! His tactical awareness shines especially when his position looks grim, turning lost battles into memorable victories. Not one to throw in the towel easily, Stefano resists early resignation with just an 8.15% early surrender rate. His average winning game lasts about 48 moves, proving that he loves to grind out tricky endgames, which happen in over 40% of his battles.

Opening Repertoire

When it comes to openings, Stefano has a flair for classic lines:

• King's Pawn Opening: His pet project in blitz with over 169 games and a solid 56.21% win rate.
• Bishop's Opening: A sneaky weapon with a respectable 52.59% win rate.
• Alekhine’s Defense: Shows his adventurous side here, not backing down even against tough opponents.
• Scandinavian Defense: He’s battled fiercely, though his win rate hovers near 26% — a reminder that every player has their kryptonite!

Always ready to surprise, Stefano’s games feature a mix of classic and less conventional openings, keeping his adversaries on their toes.

Psychological Warfare & Timing

Stefano’s best time to strike? The mysterious witching hour of 3 AM — perhaps working best under moonlight and caffeine! Despite a tilt factor of 10, he bounces back remarkably well from setbacks. His winning odds peak on Sundays (53.1%) and he’s quite the morning bird too, with near 58% wins around 9 AM. Apparently, Stefano’s idea of a “great start” isn’t just the opening move but also the time you start!

Record Highlights & Quirks

With a nearly even split of blitz wins and losses (602 wins against 587 losses) and over 32 draws, Stefano’s career looks like that intense tug-of-war chess match you just can't pull away from. His longest winning streak is a smooth 9 games—enough to fuel some ego—and his longest dark patch, a humbling 10 losses in a row, which only adds to the drama.

Recent Battles

Stefano’s latest victory (June 3, 2025) was a nail-biter in the King’s Indian Defense, where he ran down his opponent on time after delivering a masterclass in endgame technique. Conversely, recent defeats remind us even lively warriors must bow sometimes—but Stefano’s ready to rise again.

Whether you’re a fan, fellow competitor, or just here for a good chess story, Stefano Barnabà proves one thing: in the game of kings, passion, persistence, and a pinch of humor are the ultimate winning combination.

Watch this space — and the clock!