DarkLink182

Player Profile: Mike VL (aka DarkLink182)

Meet Mike VL, known in the chess world as DarkLink182 – a player whose rating history is as colorful and rollercoaster-like as a thriller novel. Starting humbly in 2008 with a cozy 1200 in Daily chess, Mike has battled through countless matches, amassing more wins than a squirrel hoarding nuts in autumn!

Chess Odyssey

Mike’s journey is a saga of grit, determination, and occasional tactical wizardry. His peak Daily rating touched a respectable 1997 in early 2021, while his Bullet chess exploits are nothing short of legendary, peaking at a blazing 2566 in January 2024. Not to be outdone, his Blitz and Rapid performances reached highs of 2430 and 2345 respectively, making Mike a triple-threat in the realm of fast-paced chess.

Style & Strategy

Mike is a versatile warrior of the 64 squares. With a steady 62% win rate as White and an even better 62.59% from the Black side, he proves that he’s equally comfortable playing offense or defense. Mike’s games tend to be carefully crafted affairs, boasting an average of over 60 moves per game regardless of the outcome – so prepare for a marathon, not a sprint!

His favorite opening? Well, Mike keeps that close to the chest as "Top Secret" but we peeked: he’s got a love affair with the English Opening (King’s English Variation), the Philidor Defense, and can melt defenses with some classic Ruy Lopez magic. Just don’t challenge him with the Indian Game – it appears Mike disagrees with its philosophy.

Mental Game & Psychology

With a 67% comeback rate and a penchant for bouncing back after losing material, Mike’s chess psyche is tougher than a pawn on the 7th rank ready to queen. Sure, his Tilt Factor clocks in at 56, which means sometimes the frustration sneaks through – but hey, who hasn’t accidentally knocked over a coffee cup after a blunder?

Oddly enough, his best time to play is around 5 PM when the sun is setting but the brain is still kicking – a perfect time for those victorious endgame maneuvers!

Notable Recent Games

June 1st, 2025 was a busy day for Mike. In a beautiful victory against asifmatters in Bullet chess, Mike executed a crushing English Opening, finishing with a checkmate that could make even Magnus raise an eyebrow. Minutes before, he had defeated SiddhantShedge with brilliant defense in an Alapin Sicilian - talk about sharp and swift!

But let’s not forget the humbling moments. Losing to "Dk-77" by resignation reminds us that even the best fall occasionally – and Mike takes those lessons to fuel his next streak.

Quirks & Fun Facts

• Longest winning streak: An impressive 48 games. That’s longer than some vacations!
• Most played opponent: “bethy_23” with over 1,300 battles fought.
• Win rate drops when playing opponents named “ewa255”, but hey, every hero needs a nemesis.
• When losing a piece, Mike still wins nearly 60% of the time. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.

Summary

Mike VL, aka DarkLink182, is a formidable presence on chess.com and in the chess universe. His passion for the game, ability to adapt, and occasional “Top Secret” gambits make watching his games a delight. Whether it’s bullet, blitz, rapid, or daily, he approaches every match with a blend of tactical precision and the kind of resilience that turns setbacks into spectacular comebacks.

Next time you see Mike on the board, beware: beneath that calm exterior lurks a chess warrior ready to pounce – coffee spills and all.