Souhaib Ayyoub Belkarim

Souhaib Ayyoub Belkarim (Souy03)

Meet Souhaib, a spirited chess enthusiast boldly navigating the unpredictable seas of rapid chess with a peak rating of 878—achieved in the thrilling winter of early 2022. Known among friends and foes as Souy03, his chess journey reads like an epic tale of soaring highs, testing lows, and a sprinkle of draws that keep opponents guessing.

A Rollercoaster of Ratings

Souhaib’s rapid rating has seen adventures fitting for a grandmaster... if grandmasters took roller coasters instead of elevators. Starting strong, he peaked dramatically, but recent years have revealed a humble side, with ratings settling around the low 400s to high 300s. Yet, true to the spirit of chess, Souhaib never quits. His longest winning streak is a respectable six games—probably enough to convince his cat he's a genius—while his longest losing streak is a modest three, showing resilience without excessive drama.

Opening Repertoire: The Tactical Playground

Souhaib’s signature openings read like a gourmet menu of chess flavors. The Mieses Opening and its Reversed Rat Variation bring him a tasty 50% and an even juicier 66.67% win rate respectively—proof that experimentation can pay off! Meanwhile, more daring choices like the Scandinavian Defense have served up a perfect 100% win rate, albeit over just one game. He bravely steps into the Pirc Defense trenches, sometimes winning but often bravely learning, with a win rate around 28.57%.

Playing Style & Psychological Insights

Souhaib has a flair for lengthy battles, winning games with an average of 68 moves and losing in about 55, suggesting he prefers wearing down opponents rather than quick surprises. His penchant for endgames is notable, appearing in nearly three-quarters of his games. When a piece goes missing, his tenacity shines with a comeback rate of nearly 70%, though winning immediately after losing material is tougher, at a third of the time.

He’s a fighter rather than a quitter, with an early resignation rate under 8%, and seems psychologically steady, as his tilt factor is low at 3. Evening hours around 9 PM are his prime time, where his win rate peaks at an impressive 85.71%. Saturday is his lucky day with a 100% win rate, possibly because who doesn’t play better with a weekend vibe?

Memorable Moments

Souhaib recently dazzled on October 25, 2024, with a swift and crafty checkmate using the Scandinavian Defense against mathis3741. His aggressive queen and rook play left his opponent no escape in a sharp 26-move finish. When asked about opening preferences, Souhaib might cheekily say, "Why stick to one defense when you can spice every game with a new surprise?"

Trivia

• Win-Loss-Draw record in Rapid: 13-13-10 — balanced like a seesaw on a calm day.
• Favorite opponents for victories include leonardoderaff with a strong 75% win rate.
• Chess.com handle: Souy03 — because sometimes shorter is sweeter.

Whether storming the board with the blazing Scandinavian Defense or teasing opponents with the subtle Mieses Opening, Souhaib continues to charm the chess world with his fighting spirit, quirky style, and love for the game. Keep an eye on this persistent rapid player—he’s got many more battles to fight and stories to tell on the 64 squares!