Profile: Michael Hayden (ehay90)
Meet Michael Hayden, known in the chess world by his online moniker ehay90. A spirited Rapid player with a rollercoaster rating journey, Michael has definitely experienced every twist and turn chess can offer – from impressive highs to humbling lows. His peak Rapid rating soared to 787 in early 2024, while his most recent efforts place him solidly in the 600s, navigating over 900 wins and just as many losses in Rapid alone. Nothing like a balanced rivalry with the chess gods!
Specializing in the Queen’s Pawn Opening, Chigorin Variation, Michael boasts a fierce 56% win rate in nearly 400 games – no shrinking violet here. He’s also quite fond of the King’s Pawn Opening, wielding it with a victorious touch about 60% of the time. But beware the Englund Gambit; a near 50-50 split means he’s fearless when pushing the envelope, often walking the tightrope between brilliant tactics and adventurous gambits.
When it comes to time controls, Michael tries his hand at all: Daily, Blitz, Bullet, and of course, Rapid. While the Bullet scene hasn't always been kind (peak 1034 rating, yet a tough win-loss balance), his Rapid battles truly tell the tale of a dedicated competitor grinding through over 2,000 Rapid games with dogged persistence.
Known for the occasional early resignation (about 15.7% of the time – hey, sometimes you just know when to call it!) and a tendency to go deep into endgames (almost 29% frequency), Michael’s average winning games stretch past 43 moves. Against this backdrop, he's held an impressive comeback rate of 58%, revealing a fighting spirit that refuses to concede defeat lightly.
His best time to strike? Evenings at 6 PM, where his win rate climbs to nearly 67%. Coincidence? We think not. Michael’s psychological resilience shines through with a less-than-embarrassing tilt factor of 14%, demonstrating that even after a tough moment or two, he’s ready to play on with grit.
Off the board, Michael’s game history hints at a quirky sense of humor and a love for creative play – juggling tricky openings like the French Defense Normal Variation and the Horwitz Defense with ease. His recent games include some memorable finishes, such as a swift checkmate victory in a live Rapid match on May 30th, 2025, sealing the win in style with a queen sacrifice that would make any grandmaster nod in approval.
Whether climbing the ladder or facing the humility of loss, Michael Hayden is a player to watch – a true chess enthusiast whose love for the game shines brightest in every calculated move and surprising upset.
Keep an eye on ehay90 — the board is his stage, and he’s always ready for the next act!
