Aaron Shickell - The Gambit Gambler
Aaron, known in the chess realm as alshickell, is a player who approaches the 64 squares with a blend of cautious strategy and occasional bursts of daring—much like someone debating whether to sip coffee or chug it. Starting from a humble Rapid rating dip in 2020, Aaron's journey has been a rollercoaster of wins, losses, and draws with a determined spirit reflected in over 1,577 Rapid games and a near-even win-loss record of 754-744.
His favorite playground? Rapid chess, where he has experimented with classic openings like the Scandinavian Defense, boasting an impressive 51% win rate, and the Queen's Pawn Opening, a personal favorite where he scores over 56% victories. When playing daily games, Aaron isn’t afraid to throw in some Scandinavian and Nimzowitsch Defense, although with more mixed results—proving he's not above taking a gamble.
Aaron's rapid style is characterized by patience (an average of 51 moves per win) and resilience—he often bounces back from adversity, winning 59% of games where he’s initially on the back foot, and astonishingly achieving a 100% win rate after losing a piece. Clearly, giving away material to Aaron is a ticket to disappointment.
Beyond the numbers, Aaron is a creature of the evening. His best magic strikes happen around 12 PM and 4 AM with win rates soaring beyond 59% and 60% respectively, and mornings around 7 AM don’t see him losing much either (a staggering 75% win rate). Opponents beware if you’re playing Aaron before your first cup of coffee—he’s already three moves ahead!
His psychological play has its quirks: Aaron tends to resign early about 20% of the time (sometimes wisely, sometimes maybe after chasing a lost pawn), and though he occasionally tilts, his overall competitive spirit doesn’t quit easily. With over 3,000 games logged across all speeds, including a bullet blitz win rate of 100% (albeit in one game—still undefeated!), Aaron keeps proving that inspiration often beats brute force.
Whether you’re facing Aaron in a high-stakes rapid bout or a casual daily duel, expect a spirited contest filled with strategic depth, surprising comebacks, and the occasional tactical curveball. And if you lose, just remember—it might have been the coffee shortage that day.
