Bill Kortum (chessnut0)
Meet Bill Kortum, a chess enthusiast whose journey on the 64 squares has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride through the ELO jungle. Known online as chessnut0, Bill has embraced the noble art of pawn pushing, knight dancing, and occasional queen sacrifices with a spirited passion.
Chess Journey & Style
Bill’s peak rapid rating hit a respectable 1110 back in 2017, while in blitz, he once soared to 1107 in 2016, and even dabbled in bullet chess with a top of 828. His playing style? A love for fierce endgames (he finishes an impressive 60.96% of his games in the endgame) and a knack for tactical awareness that brings comebacks in nearly 60% of his fights after losing a piece.
Openings & Strategies
Bill shows a colorful opening repertoire, from the classic Queen's Pawn Opening to the rarely tamed Englund Gambit, where his win rate peaks at an impressive 59.61% in rapid games! Perhaps his opponents are caught off guard by his unpredictability or charm—either way, Bill's chess is far from boring.
Battle Stats
- Total Rapid games played: 16,800+ with close to 50% wins.
- In Blitz, he has fought through a thousand-plus games, showing true perseverance and raw grit.
- His Bullet attempts may be few, but they are memorable (peak 828, though humble - or Elon Musk with a crash?).
Most Memorable Games
Bill's recent battles showcase his will to win, including a crafty victory using the Englund Gambit in 2025, proving that even after years of play his enthusiasm remains undimmed. Of course, not all games end on a winner’s cheer. Bill has faced some tough losses, including some by time and a few good ol’ checkmates—proof that even the best sometimes forget to pack a lunch for the struggle.
Psychological and Playing Tendencies
Bill is a bit of a night owl and prime-time player; his sweet spot is around 3 PM, firing off moves with a 52% win rate at that hour! While he has a modest tilt factor of 12 (no meltdown here, just passionate grumbling), Bill prefers to avoid early resignations (only about 1.58%), preferring instead to fight it out to the bitter end.
Fun Facts
- White pieces tend to agree with Bill more often than black—White win rate sits near 50%, while Black hovers slightly lower around 45%.
- Bill’s games tend to be strategic affairs lasting around 46 moves when victorious, but when the bullet goes off, he’s often outmaneuvered in 64 moves or so.
- His longest winning streak is 13 games — that’s enough to terrorize a local club or at least impress your cat.
With a unique blend of resilience, strategic flair, and a generous pinch of online battle scars, Bill Kortum keeps proving that chess is a game of endless discovery, and sometimes, endless patience. Whether you’re a local rival or a random internet knight, beware: chessnut0 is always ready for the next dance on the board!
