Overview
Rafael Sharon, known online as RafaelSharon, is an International Master who thrives when the clock is fast and the stakes feel electric. Preferring Blitz play, Rafael mixes daring sacrificial ideas with practical clock management to outfox opponents before they have time to breathe.
- Title: International Master
- Preferred time control: Blitz
- Peak Blitz rating: 2840 (2026-02-09)
- Peak Bullet rating: 2754 (2026-03-20)
Style and Strengths
Rafael is a tactical player with a taste for chaotic positions and long fights. He reaches complex middlegames quickly and does not shy away from early complications. The statistics show a high endgame frequency and a knack for comebacks.
- Playing style: tactical, adventurous, endgame-savvy
- Comeback rate: notably high
- Endgame frequency: strong — many games go deep
- Streaks: longest winning streak 12, current losing streak 2
Openings Snapshot
Rafael keeps opponents guessing by mixing rare gambits with solid defenses. Below are some of the openings that define his repertoire and results in fast games.
- Amar Gambit (as White): a core weapon with many games and lively results
- Caro-Kann Defense: reliable and successful on both colors
- Nimzo-Larsen Attack: extremely effective, high win rate in Bullet
- Amazon Attack: strong Siberian Attack results in Blitz
- Sicilian lines: Najdorf and Sozin used with attacking flair
Top opening highlights (Blitz and Bullet combined) are visible in game archives and summaries. For a quick visual of recent rating movement try this chart.
Notable Games and Rivals
Rafael has faced several familiar opponents enough times to develop personal rivalries. He has solid winning records against some frequent foes and tighter scores against others.
- Most played opponents include: satyasekharmitra-ind, shamz211, maxkho2, rip-danielnaroditsky
- Memorable matchups: strong run versus shamz211 and maxkho2
- Sample game to study tactics and time management:
- maxkho2
- Example game viewer: View Game
Seasonal Notes
Across 2025 and 2026 Rafael showed quick improvement in Blitz, with several months near the top of the leaderboards. He plays most successfully in high-pressure evening hours and occasionally shines in the odd 04:00 session when inspiration strikes.
- Best hour of day for winning: early morning surprises and some late afternoon runs
- Typical game length: long for Blitz and Bullet, many decisive battles
- Preparation depth: pragmatic and focused on surprise value
Fun Facts and Placeholders
Rafael mixes serious study with a playful approach to openings. If you want to explore a representative tactical mini-marathon, open the embedded mini-game below or examine the recent rating chart.
- Try a quick replay:
- Recent rating trend:
- See how Rafael fared versus a common opponent: RIP-DanielNaroditsky
Why Follow RafaelSharon
For fans of sharp play, practical time management, and the occasional brilliant blunder followed by a miraculous recovery, Rafael is a must-watch. He combines titled credentials with an approach that makes every blitz game worth studying.
- Great for studying practical tactics and how to win on the clock
- Entertaining and instructive games for club players and aspiring masters
- Follow his profile to watch improvisation meet theory