Ghimpu, Samuel-Timotei

Samuel-Timotei Ghimpu, a 23-year-old Romanian International Master, is rated 2463 — just 18 short of his peak of 2481 (Aug 2023, age 20) and ranked 12th among Romanian players, and in the top 1% worldwide. He is on a steady climb with +42 Elo over the past 12 months. 78 rated games in the past year (≈66/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include European Individual Chess Championship 2026, Romania National Open Championship 2026, and 99th Hastings International Chess Congress - Masters. Also played 14 rapid (including Romania National Team Rapid Championship 2025 - Open) and 5 blitz events (including Romanian National Team Blitz Championship 2025 - Open) recently. He reached Romanian #11 in Dec 2024.

Awarded IM in 2023 (age 20) and FM in 2020 (age 17). Earned GM norms at GM Round Robin Prologos Galati 2023 and ROU Nat TM CC 2024 - 1st League Open. At junior level, he reached World #42 in U20, World #40 in U18 and #3, #5, #19 and #43 nationally in U16, U14, U12 and U10.