Pankaj Joshi

Pankaj Joshi (pjoshi50) - The Relentless Rapid Rambler

Pankaj Joshi, known in the chess world by his username pjoshi50, is a rapidly rising star, or at least a star rising rapidly... and sometimes falling just as quickly! With a peak rapid rating of 984 achieved in March 2025, Pankaj’s journey is a rollercoaster of tactical ingenuity, brave openings, and stubborn comebacks.

Strengths and Style

Pankaj’s playing style is a curious mix of grit and adventure — an early resignation rate of about 11% shows he's not afraid to cut his losses when things go south, but his comeback rate of 73% proves he’s got the heart of a fighter. He typically plays sharp, somewhat unpredictable openings like the Bishop’s Opening and the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation, where he boasts a modest yet respectable win rate approaching 52%.

Opening Arsenal Highlights

• Bishops Opening: 142 games with nearly equal wins and losses, showcasing bold ambition but also a pinch of chaos.
• Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation: His sweet spot with a 51.95% win rate over 77 games.
• Van t Kruijs Opening: An unconventional choice with a striking 62% win rate—clearly a weapon of surprise!

Performance Timeline

Although new on the scene, Pankaj jumped from a modest 583 rapid rating in late 2024 to nearly a thousand points by early 2025. However, his rating has seen ups and downs, currently standing at 330 rapid and a solid 400 in daily chess — a format he seems to favor intensely.

Battle Tested

Pankaj has amassed an impressive 524 wins in rapid games against 579 losses, plus a handful of draws, proving he's well-seasoned in the arena of victory and defeat alike. Daily chess? An undefeated run with 2 wins and 0 losses, because who needs losses in daily, right?

Memorable Moments

One of Pankaj’s most recent thrilling victories was against pibolito, clinched by time! In a sharp French Defense battle, he managed a victorious endgame, showcasing resilience and timing over brute tactics.

Personality at the Board

Despite some ruthless losses, Pankaj’s tilt factor sits at a mild 11%, showing that even when the chess gods frown, he manages to keep his cool. His best fighting hours are oddly around 2 AM — so if you fancy a match in the witching hour, now you know who to challenge.

Fun Facts

• Favorite moment: Winning on time — because sometimes speed trumps strategy.
• Average game length hovers around 42 moves — enough for a good story (or an epic blunder!).
• Guilty pleasure opening: Scandinavian Defense — because who doesn’t love a surprise attack?

In short, Pankaj Joshi is the kind of player who makes every game an adventure worthy of narration — whether it ends in checkmate or a cheeky resignation. Watch this space for more tactical thrills, unexpected comebacks, and maybe, just maybe, a steady rise to chess glory.