About Sasha-Matei Craciun
Sasha-Matei Craciun is a formidable chess player holding the title of FIDE Master. Known for a sharp and calculated playing style, Sasha-Matei has demonstrated exceptional skill primarily in blitz games, where speed meets strategy.
Playing Style & Strengths
Sasha-Matei prefers the adrenaline rush of blitz chess, where they have achieved a peak rating over 2700. Their tactical awareness is notable, boasting an impressive 83% comeback rate after setbacks in games. The player is patient with an average winning game consisting of nearly 84 moves, showcasing endurance and deep strategic planning.
- Strong in endgames with frequent endgame play (79.52% of games)
- Average move of first capture around move 7
- Superior performance with White pieces (50.18% win rate)
- Psychologically resilient with a low early resignation rate
Favorite Openings
Sasha-Matei's opening repertoire is both diverse and effective, revealing a preference for classical defenses and some surprise gambits to keep opponents on their toes.
- Caro-Kann Defense – A trusted choice boasting a solid 61% win rate in blitz.
- Ruy Lopez: Closed – With more than half the games won, it's a consistent weapon.
- Amazon Attack – Shows a creative side with a winning rate over 50% in various formats.
- Blackburne Shilling Gambit and Sicilian Najdorf – Adds spice and tactical complexity to games.
Career Highlights & Memorable Stats
- Peak Blitz rating of 2747 achieved in January 2025 — that's grandmaster level territory!
- Maintained an undefeated streak in rapid games with a 100% win rate across all recorded rapid openings.
- Recorded a remarkable longest winning streak of 15 games, proving that once Sasha-Matei gets rolling, it's tough to stop.
- Known among opponents for resilience, bouncing back with a 44% win rate even after losing a piece.
Fun Fact
Sasha-Matei's best time of day to play is early morning — around 8 AM — when the brain is fresh and the moves fly fast! So if you want to catch them off guard, perhaps wait until they've had their morning coffee.