Profile: Mohamed Ragheb (Ragheb79)
Meet Mohamed Ragheb, known in the chess world by the enigmatic tag Ragheb79. A player whose blitz battles ripple through the ranks with a peak rating of 1347 back in September 2016, Mohamed has been a stalwart of rapid calculations, tactical comebacks, and the occasional endgame surprise. While his rating these days hovers around the 700s in blitz and 600s-700s in rapid formats, don't let the numbers fool you—his passion and resilience tell a very different story.
Mohamed's style is a fascinating mix of gritty endgames and tactical awareness, boasting an impressive 88.85% comeback rate. He's the kind of player who, when losing material, doesn't throw in the towel but instead fights with the tenacity of a chessboard warrior. His longest winning streak is a commendable 12 games, though like any mortal, he has also faced the heartbreak of an 11-game losing streak.
When it comes to time control, Mohamed shines brightest around 2:00 AM UTC—perhaps fueled by midnight oil or late-night caffeine, it’s the hour when his best moves tend to appear. His games average about 67 moves in wins, showing a patient, strategic approach rather than quick-fire tactics, despite significant activity in blitz and bullet formats.
A Quick Peek at His Latest Triumph
In a thrilling game played on April 14, 2024, Mohamed (as White) executed a brilliant checkmate against Bramspoel. Employing the Sicilian Defense - Staunton-Cohrane Variation, he weaved through complex middle game tactics, culminating in a razor-sharp final attack after 33 moves. Check out the game here and marvel at how a move like Rf1# seals the deal!
Fun Facts & Quirks
- His preferred openings remain shrouded in mystery—classified as "Top Secret" to keep opponents guessing.
- Despite a modest rating, Mohamed has an admirable win rate against several well-known opponents—vanquishing many with a 100% record!
- He's a twilight warrior: his win percentage peaks during odd hours, while mornings around 7 AM appear to be his “Monday blues” with a win rate dipping to 30.43% at that hour!
- One of the few who can turn a timeout loss into a win—with 709 wins by timeout, proving patience is sometimes a strategy (or that his opponents often run out of time first).
In sum, Mohamed Ragheb is a fun, fierce fighter on the chessboard—sometimes unpredictable, often determined, and always entertaining to watch. Whether you catch him blitzing in the wee hours or deep in a rapid tussle, Mohamed proves that chess is as much about persistence and spirit as it is about points and ratings.
