Stefano Alessandrini (aka Sghino)
Meet Stefano Alessandrini, a chess warrior whose journey on the 64 squares is an epic saga of ups, downs, and surprising comebacks. Known in the chessworld as Sghino, Stefano’s rapid rating peaked at a respectable 858 in early 2021, proving that while the journey may have its twists, the heart of a competitor beats strong.
Stefano’s beloved rapid format is where he truly shines (and stumbles, and sometimes shines again). With over 400 wins paired with nearly as many losses, his games read like a thrilling novel—complete with unexpected checkmates, occasional resignations, and the occasional heroic comeback (a whopping 55% comeback rate, no less!). His longest winning streak is an impressive 8 games, though the other side of the coin shows he can endure a tough 9-game losing streak too. Resilience is clearly his secret weapon.
When it comes to openings, Stefano is not afraid to experiment. He favors the Van 't Kruijs Opening, engaging in battles there over 240 times with nearly a 50% win rate. He’s also a fan of the French Defense Knight Variation, where his win rate jumps up to a solid 57.5%, and on those rarer bullet rounds, his record in the Scandinavian Defense is flawless—a perfect 100% win rate in 2 games. A slippery snake in the opening jungle indeed!
Stefano’s playing style might best be described as thoughtful but occasionally impatient. With about 11% early resignations in rapid games (maybe when the coffee runs out?), he plays an average of about 50 moves in wins and 47 moves in losses, showing he’s often in the thick of it before the final verdict. The psychological resilience (a tilt factor of 9) suggests he stays cool under pressure, and his best time of day to play? Surprisingly, 4:00 AM, the witching hour when most mortals dream but Stefano dreams of forks and pins.
Recent Triumph: A Stylish Checkmate
On June 4, 2025, Stefano displayed tactical brilliance against a worthy opponent, dorito_ss, using the Scandinavian Defense to deliver a beautiful Qxc8# checkmate. Timing and precision combined perfectly. Relive the finale here.
Chess Personality
- Total Rapid Games: Over 900 battles fought
- Rapid Win/Loss/Draw: 416 / 469 / 21
- Blitz & Bullet Enthusiast: With decent victories and tactical flair, especially in blitz’s Alekhine’s Defense
- Favorite Opponents: Has near-perfect records against some and tough battles against others - variety keeps it spicy!
In the world of chess, Stefano Alessandrini stands as a testament to perseverance with a flair for dramatic finishes and the occasional early surrender (hey, even champions need naps). Whether it’s rapid, blitz, or bullet, this player continues crafting his legacy, one move at a time.
