Raphael Lagunow IM

Raphael Lagunow (aka RaphCamora)

Meet Raphael Lagunow, an International Master by FIDE standards and a true warrior of the 64 squares! If chess had a hall of fame for tactical comebacks and tenacity, Raphael would be a prominent exhibit. His blitz rating once soared over 2580 — clearly showing he thrives when the clock ticks mercilessly.

Known online as RaphCamora, he battles opponents with a win rate north of 50% in thousands of blitz games, proving that speed and precision are his weapons of choice. Notorious for an 85% comeback rate after losing material, Raphael blends resilience with clever tactics, turning almost-lost causes into sweet victories. His average winning games run for about 75 moves, showing he enjoys the long strategic fights — no quick snacks, thank you very much.

Psychologically, Raphael’s tilt factor is managed quite well, only around 7, but beware playing him early in the morning: his best time to play is reportedly 6 AM, when his mind is sharp and the coffee kicks in. His playstyle features frequent endgames — nearly 82% of his games see an endgame unlock — and he has a habit of resigning early about half the time, probably sparing us all from long, torturous forevers of losing.

Off the board, Raphael is undefeated in style, though his opponents tell a different story: with some matchups yielding a 100% win rate and others... well, not quite so rosy, it’s clear he keeps everyone on their toes.

When it comes to openings, his “Top Secret” weapon (the irony is not lost) dominates across all formats, especially bullet where he boasts almost 69% win rate. If you ever face Raphael online, be prepared for a blend of rapid-fire bullets and marathon blitz duels that culminate in either a satisfying checkmate or a gracious handshake.

His most recent game? A thrilling victory by checkmate in a Slav Defense Exchange Variation where he untangled a complex endgame with finesse and sealed the deal on his opponent’s king. So whether you call him Raphael or RaphCamora, one thing is clear: this International Master is a force to reckon with, chessboard or no chessboard!

Follow his journey and games on Chess.com