Sharad Tilak - The International Master with a Tactical Twist
Known online as darkal62, Sharad Tilak is no ordinary chess player — they are an International Master as recognized by FIDE, which means they know their knights from their bishops and their pawns from their snacks. This title wasn't just handed over with a handshake; Sharad earned it with relentless focus, strategic micro-moves, and probably a few coffee-fueled nights staring at the 64 squares.
Rating Ride Through the Years
Sharad's blitz rating has been steadily impressive, peaking at a sprightly 2425 in 2025. The journey from a modest 1734 in 2016 to this rapid blitz mastery reflects years of dedication, thousands of games, and dozens of victorious scraping comebacks. In rapid games, despite fewer outings, Sharad has achieved a flawless 100% win rate — talk about making every move count. Bullet chess? Let's just say it's an acquired taste, but Sharad's style is more about calculated speed than lightning frenzy.
Playing Style & Personality Quirks
With an average of about 64 moves per win and a healthy comeback rate of over 85%, Sharad isn't one to give up early — unless there's something better to do (like binge watching chess memes). They boast a 52.55% win rate when playing White and nearly 48.31% as Black, proving they're comfortable both initiating and counter-attacking. Their remarkable 100% win rate after losing a piece shows a knack for turning near disasters into dazzling victories — cue the dramatic music.
Sharad's psychological tolerance for tilt is low (about 11%), meaning they keep their cool like a seasoned yogi, even when things get intense. Early resignations are rare (less than 1%), which means if the game drags on, count on Sharad to be fighting until the very last checkmate.
Social Sphere & Rivals
Sharad juggles casual and competitive games alike, facing down opponents like dougie47, iomshark, and chesskhirby. Some opponents get crushed, some give Sharad a run for their money, but one thing is clear — this player relishes the challenge (and the occasional "oops, misclick").
Fun Facts
- Longest winning streak: 12 games in a row — enough to make grandmasters pause in awe.
- Favorite opening: Classified as "Top Secret" — because every master loves a little mystery.
- Peak bullet rating: 2055, showing Sharad can blitz, but prefers finesse over frantic clicks.
Whether it's a casual blitz or a tournament rapid, Sharad Tilak proves that chess isn't just a game—it's a lifestyle, an art, and occasionally, a reason to squint suspiciously at your opponent's move and whisper, "Really? Did you just do that?"