Simo Bennani: The Chess Adventurer
Meet Simo Bennani, or as he’s known in the virtual chess world, SimoBennani1. A player whose journey through the 64 squares resembles a rollercoaster more than a serene stroll — full of daring attacks, unexpected turns, and occasional dramatic losses. Though not yet a grandmaster, Simo wields the Queens Pawn Opening Mikenas Defense with a perfect record (yes, 3 out of 3 wins), proving he has secret tricks tucked away in his repertoire.
Simo’s peak blitz rating touched 1243 back in 2019, showcasing flashes of lightning-fast tactics. Rapid games, however, have been a bumpy road — with more losses than wins but an impressive comeback rate approaching 75%, he’s the phoenix rising from the ashes after every gambit gone wrong. It's clear he refuses to throw in the towel, even sporting a cheeky early resignation rate of just over 5%.
An endgame enthusiast, Simo plays long battles, averaging over 58 moves per win and never shying away from the grind. White or black, his win rates hover just under 42%, showing solid versatility. He shines particularly in the late hours, with a 57% win rate on games starting around 11 AM and a stunning 100% win rate during the mystical 5 AM dawn sessions — either a chess wizard or an insomniac.
His opening choices reveal a player who likes to mix it up: from the classic King's Pawn openings to less traveled paths like the Van't Kruijs and Modern Defense, adapting his style to both confuse and conquer. He has even scored over 76% wins with the Van't Kruijs in blitz — a rare gem in the opening hall of fame.
Off the board, Simo’s psychological resilience is commendable. Despite a moderate tilt factor of 20, he’s demonstrated an uncanny ability to win after losing a piece — an incredible 100% win rate in such grim scenarios! If you think you can rattle him, think again. Battles against frequent opponents like youssef2g may test his nerves (only about a 13% win rate there), but against many others, he boasts perfect records and generous smiles.
In short, Simo Bennani is the friendly, fiercely competitive underdog of online chess — a player who reminds us all that every defeat is just a step toward the next winning streak (and he once hit an 8-game streak). Still climbing, still learning, and forever up for a good challenge, his story is one to watch and enjoy.
