Ihor Samunenkov, aka "sokidze"
Title: Grandmaster (FIDE)
Ihor Samunenkov is a formidable chess Grandmaster known not only for their sharp intellect but also for a playing style that could be described as "strategic wizardry with a dash of flair." Starting with a humble blitz rating around 1259 back in early 2018, Ihor's meteoric rise saw them smashing through the 3000 barrier in blitz by 2025, an achievement that leaves opponents wondering if the chessboard itself is under some magical influence.
Career Highlights
- Peak blitz rating of 3047 (May 2025) – officially making the board tremble.
- Rapid peak rating of 2520 achieved in 2024, proving versatility across time controls.
- Bullet chess peak rating of 2633 showcases lightning-fast tactical acumen.
Playing Style
Ihor's play is a rollercoaster of deep endgame knowledge and tactical dexterity:
- Enjoys grinding long technical endgames (Endgame frequency is an impressive 84.56%).
- Average moves per win hover around 82, showing patience and strategy outlasting opponents.
- Known for remarkable comeback skills – with a comeback rate of 85.08%, Ihor is the heartwarming comeback story in every tournament.
- Interestingly, when losing a piece, Ihor still maintains a winning rate above 52%, probably because “why surrender brains so easily?”
- Early resignation rate is low (2.62%) – no quitters here!
Opening Repertoire
Master of mystery openings: Ihor’s "Unknown Opening" sits high in the stats with a win rate above 54% in blitz, proving unconventional choices can be quite effective. Specialists beware when Ihor pulls out the Top Secret or Modern Defense lines; their win rates in these are no less than 51% and 75%, respectively.
Memorable Recent Games
Just recently, Ihor (playing as "sokidze") clinched a victory against Murad Ibrahimli with a brilliant display in the Caro-Kann Defense, wrapping up the game by resignation after some fierce position squeezing. It was like watching a chess version of a heist movie, with all the right moves happening at precisely the right moments. You could almost hear the audience gasp as the final moves tipped the scale.
Fun Facts and Quirks
- Has a tilt factor of 19 – so somewhere between “Zen master” and “slightly annoyed at losing a pawn.”
- Best time to challenge Ihor: 2 AM. Night owls and caffeine-fueled players, beware!
- Averages a win rate of over 56% when playing white and over 53% with black – versatility is the name of their game.
- Has an impressive record of 3127 wins to 2052 losses in blitz, proving even under rapid-fire pressure, Ihor prevails more often than not.
Opponent Insights
Ihor has faced a galaxy of opponents but seems particularly experienced against players like only_strong_moves and valentunhulka, with win rates around or above 50%. Ihor's unbeaten streaks have included a 16-game winning spree – enough to humble even the most confident of challengers.
In summary, Ihor Samunenkov is a Grandmaster with the heart of a competitor, tactical sharpness, and an endgame prowess that could turn the tide of any battle. Whether blitzing at dawn or diving deep into rapid duels, Ihor’s chess journey is a narrative of thrilling fights, brilliant strategies, and a whole lot of passion for the game.