Todd Smith (aka ElephantRock333)
Known in the chess world as ElephantRock333, Todd Smith is a bullet and blitz enthusiast whose rating journey tells the story of a passionate chess warrior with peaks and valleys worthy of a Shakespearean drama. His peak bullet rating soared impressively to 971 in May 2023, and in rapid, he reached an eye-popping 971 again in August 2024, proving he's just as dangerous when the clock slows down—well, mostly.
Playing Style & Strengths
Todd's games are a whirlwind of early resignations kept at bay (only 1.89% early resign rate) and a penchant for the endgame, dipping into complex pawn structures and tactical melees (ends about 70% of his games with endgame play). Average moves per win clock in at about 58, while losses drag on a bit longer, averaging 67 moves, perhaps showing his stubborn resilience even in tough spots.
With a comeback rate of 71% and an ability to claw victory after losing a piece about 43% of the time, Todd is the poster child for "never give up" — or at least "give me a chance to blunder back into the game." His psychological tilt factor is a manageable 20, indicating he usually keeps his cool, especially between 2 PM and 4 PM, which is his absolute best time of day to press the clock.
Preferred Openings
Todd enjoys throwing down with classic openings, favoring the King's Pawn Opening most of all—a reliable friend with a winning rate just above 51% in bullet games. He's also fond of the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation, winning slightly over half the time, although the Sicilian Defense sometimes reminds him who's boss.
If you catch him under the spotlight, expect a battle in these openings; he's played thousands of bullet games honing these lines. Fun fact: his slightly eccentric favorite blitz "opening" is mysteriously labeled "Top Secret." We suspect it involves a sneaky queen sacrifice or a secret pizza order.
Recent Battles
Todd's most recent victories are as tactical as they come—his last game was a graceful resignation win after launching the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation. His opponents beware: he sometimes plays sharp moves like 4. Bb5+ and engages in quick development to put pressure early.
Of course, the grind includes losses too. His most recent defeats show he isn't afraid to take risks, often diving into sharp openings like the Queen’s Pawn Zukertort Variation, where he faced tricky midgame challenges. True to his style, even in defeat, Todd maintains high endgame awareness and fights to the last pawn.
Quirks and Personality
With a username like ElephantRock333, one might expect the brute force of an elephant combined with the rocky steadfastness of a mountain. Todd doesn’t disappoint. His win-loss records reveal a player who plays aggressively but sometimes forgets there's no rewind button on the clock—his bullet losses outnumber wins by just a whisker, suggesting he's a fearless (some say reckless) competitor.
When not storming the 1-minute chaos, Todd clearly enjoys the nuance of slower games and seems to have a soft spot for the Scandinavian Defense, as well as the King's Pawn battles that have shaped chess history. Just don’t ask him to play after midnight—he’s statistically worse off and might accidentally blunder a bishop to a pawn.
In a nutshell: Todd Smith is a resilient, tactical, and endgame-loving chess player with a flair for dramatic comebacks and the strategic wisdom of a seasoned warrior—minus the grim demeanor, topped instead with a sense of humor and a love for the rock-solid “Elephant Rock” persona.