Zak Ham (username: zakariahammas) — Quick overview
Zak Ham, who plays under the handle zakariahammas, is a prolific online chess player best known for fast, tactical games. He prefers Blitz play and has been active across all time controls since 2017. Expect long, scrappy battles rather than early concessions. This profile highlights his style, favorite openings, and a few quirky facts that make Zak memorable.
- Preferred time control: Blitz
- Very active since 2017 with thousands of rated games
- Known for long games and a high endgame frequency
Playing style
Zak plays like someone who brought a thermos to the battlefield. He grinds into the endgame and often drags opponents into long tactical scrambles.
- Endgame frequency: about 75 percent of games reach endgame stages
- Average length: ~68 moves for wins, ~73 moves for losses
- Average first capture occurs near move 7
- White win rate: 50.33 percent, Black win rate: 45.53 percent
- Comeback rate: 84.68 percent — he fights back hard after setbacks
Career highlights and peaks
Zak has climbed steadily over the years and hit notable peaks in different time controls. He is strongest in faster formats but remains dangerous in Rapid too.
- Rapid peak: 1750 (August 2025)
- Blitz peak: 1636 (November 2025)
- Bullet peak: 1530 (August 2025)
- Strength adjusted win rates: Blitz ~50.1 percent, Rapid ~49.7 percent, Bullet ~47.8 percent
Openings and preferences
Zak has eclectic tastes and favors setups that lead to messy, tactical middlegames. He often plays offbeat or aggressive lines that invite complications.
- Frequently played in Blitz: Philidor Defense and Barnes Opening: Walkerling
- Also fond of the Blackburne Shilling Gambit and the Scandinavian Defense
- Top Blitz opening win rates include the Blackburne Shilling Gambit and the Dresden Opening: The Goblin
- As White he often steers games into tactical territory with moves that punish passive replies
Notable streaks, habits and trivia
Zak mixes consistency with occasional roller coaster streaks. He tilts like the rest of us, but usually bounces back.
- Longest winning streak: 12 games
- Longest losing streak: 13 games
- Current losing streak: 1 game
- Best time of day to play: early morning around 05:00
- Tilt factor metric: 13 — he gets frustrated sometimes but not catastrophically
- Favored opponent to face often: sardine131 (record vs sardine131: 9 wins, 4 losses)
- Notable head-to-head: ubuntu2020 is a favorable matchup with 6 wins and 2 losses
Interactive and placeholders
Want to explore Zak's progress and a sample game? Use the widgets below.
- Blitz rating trend:
- Peak Rapid rating: 1750 (2025-08-30)
- Sample game viewer:
- Quick link to a frequent rival: sardine131
Final note
Zak Ham, aka zakariahammas, is the kind of player you want on your watchlist. He brings unpredictability, endurance, and a taste for tactical fireworks. If you face him in Blitz prepare for long games and the occasional trick. Good luck and may your pawns promote.