Chris Devine: The Calculated Gambit
Chris Devine, aka "Samauritan" in some corners of the internet, is the kind of chess player who takes "blitz" literally — his games are fast, furious, and full of unexpected twists. Starting with a promising Rapid rating crossing the 1400 mark in 2020, Chris enjoyed a rollercoaster ride through the ranks over the years, showing resilience even when his Blitz and Bullet ratings took a bit of a nosedive by 2024 and 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Never one to give up easily, Chris boasts an impressive 81.65% comeback rate and a perfect 100% win rate after losing a piece — a true phoenix rising from the ashes, or in chess terms, a knight saved from the graveyard. With a penchant for endgames (appearing in nearly 68% of his games), he's patient and strategic, averaging about 65 moves per win — meaning he's in it for the long haul, even if his opponents wish for a quicker finish.
A Rivalry Story
Chris has a love-hate relationship with certain opponents. While he seems to demolish players like "judicilous", "hako2548", and "helenmoore0" with a perfect 100% win rate, he struggles against others like "nikeek" and "mahdi6565", who seem to have cracked his code (0% win rate there!). Probably the last people you'd want to bump into at an online chess cafe!
Rating Chronicles
- 2020: Rapid peak at 1461, showing early promise.
- 2021: Steady Blitz at 1156 max, Bullet at 1375 max — lightning moves included.
- 2024 - 2025: Ratings dipped a bit in Bullet and Blitz (to the 500s and 600s), but hey, even chess legends have off years!
Off the Board
Besides the chessboard, Chris’s psychological game shows a tilt factor of 12 — low enough to avoid raging keyboards, but high enough for some entertaining moments when the queen gets snatched too early.
He’s also been spotted playing his best games in the wee hours — 50% win rates at 5 and 7 AM — a strong contender for 'best night owl strategist' award. Coffee probably helps.
Final Thought
Whether you face Chris Devine in Bullet, Blitz, or the slower Rapid pace, expect a player who fights with tenacity, surprises with resilience, and occasionally resigns early (only about 4% of the time!), because even warriors know when to save energy for the next battle.
Chess stats may fluctuate, but Chris’s determination doesn’t — and that’s the real checkmate.
