Meet Ivan (aka ripch0)
Ivan is a rapid chess maestro whose games are as thrilling as a mystery novel and as unpredictable as a cat on a chessboard. With a peak rating soaring to an impressive 770 in April 2025, Ivan combines inspiration, strategy, and the occasional gamble to keep opponents on their toes.
Playing Style & Tendencies
Specializing in rapid chess, Ivan approaches the game with a blend of patience and aggression. With an average of about 59 moves per win, he clearly does not subscribe to the “quick checkmate or bust” philosophy. He tends to make his first capture around move 7 and values endgames highly, playing them in over 60% of his games. Resignation is Ivan's favorite mode of victory—he favors bowing out gracefully when the tide turns or forcing his opponents to admit defeat before the clock runs out.
Favorite Openings
Ivan is no one-trick pony; his opening repertoire includes classics and surprises alike. He's fond of the King’s Pawn Opening and its various offshoots, like the robust King’s Knight Variation where his win rate peaks around 52%. He’s also dabbled cleverly in the Philidor Defense and the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation, pulling off victories about 50-53% of the time. Though some openings like the Van t Kruijs Opening might make his win rate look like a rollercoaster ride, Ivan’s experience in over 500 games shines through.
Performance Trends
- Current Rapid Rating: around 633 (the Jan 2025 peak happened at a stunning 770!)
- Sharp tactical acumen: ~68% comeback rate, proving he’s not one to throw in the towel easily
- Best time to play? According to superstition and stats, 10 AM is his shark hour
- Enjoys playing on Saturdays, boasting a win rate just shy of 50%
Recent Dramatic Battles
Here are some of Ivan's recent high-stakes duels where he proved his mettle:
Most Recent Win by Checkmate
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bc4 Bd6 5. Ng5 Rf8 6. d3 h6 7. Nf3 Nd4
8. O-O b5 9. Nxb5 Nxb5 10. Bxb5 a6 11. Ba4 a5 12. a3 Ba6 13. b4 Nxe4 14. dxe4
Bxf1 15. Kxf1 axb4 16. axb4 Bxb4 17. Nxe5 Qe7 18. Nc4 Qxe4 19. Qxd7#
Most Recent Loss by Resignation
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4 g6 4. Qf3 Nf6 5. c3 Bc5 6. d3 d6 7. a4 Na5 8. b4
Nxc4 9. dxc4 Bb6 10. a5 Bxf2+ 11. Qxf2 Nxe4 12. Qe3 Qh4+ 13. g3 Nxg3 14. Qxg3
Qe4+ 15. Kf1 Qxh1 16. Qg2 Bh3 17. Qxh3 Qe4 18. Qg2 Qf5+ 19. Nf3 Qd3+ 20. Kg1
Qxc4 21. Nfd2 Qh4 22. Qxb7 Qe1+ 23. Nf1 Qxc1 24. Qxa8+ Ke7 25. Qxh8 Qg5+ 26. Ng3
Qc1+ 27. Nf1 Qg5+ 28. Kh1 Qf4 29. Nbd2 Qf5 30. Qxh7 Qd3 31. Qh4+ Kd7 32. Qg3 Qd5+
33. Kg1 a6 34. Qh3+ Ke7 35. Qh4+ Kd7 36. Qf6 c5 37. bxc5 Qxc5+ 38. Kg2 Qxc3 39. Qxf7+
Kc6 40. Qc4+ Qxc4 41. Nxc4
A Quick Fun Fact
Ivan's chess strategy is kind of like a rollercoaster: the climb can be slow, but when the peak hits—oh boy, the checkmate fireworks light up the sky at move 19!
In Summary
With a patient approach, a love for intricate endgames, and a tactical flair that can turn the tides in his favor, Ivan (ripch0) is a player who proves that in chess, sometimes slow and steady does win the race – and sometimes, a cheeky knight fork makes all the difference!
