Ellen B. Åkesson

Ellen B. Åkesson (EllenViking)

Meet Ellen B. Åkesson, a chess enthusiast whose battles on the board are as spirited as a Viking raid—though with fewer longships and more pawns. Preferring the adrenaline rush of rapid time controls, Ellen dives into games where quick thinking and nimble tactics are the name of the game.

Ellen’s journey through the chessboard is a tale of resilience and occasional misadventures, peppered with decisive victories and a learning curve steeper than a queen's diagonal. While some matches have ended in tough losses, Ellen has demonstrated a knack for striking back, nearly half of the times coming back from a disadvantage to shake things up. There is no surrender here—only the occasional early resignation, probably because the coffee was brewing, or the cat demanded attention.

Not one to stick to the beaten path, Ellen has explored a variety of openings ranging from the classic Queen's Pawn Opening to the ever-elusive Van 't Kruijs Opening, where success seems particularly sweet with a win rate of 100%. Ellen's opening choices hint at a player who enjoys mixing strategic solidity with bursts of tactical flair – a blend that keeps opponents on their toes.

Despite a rollercoaster of wins and losses, Ellen has achieved some standout moments, including memorable checkmate victories through tactical precision at crucial moments of the game. A particularly satisfying triumph was delivered in a recent match with a beautiful checkmate on move 22, showcasing a keen eye for opportunities and an unyielding fighting spirit.

When not commanding the rapid battlefield, Ellen occasionally ventures into blitz and daily chess, embracing the challenge of different rhythms. The high-speed blitz battles reveal a player enjoying intense, fast-paced action, while daily games test patience and longer-term strategy, albeit with a bit more humility on the scoreboard.

Psychologically, Ellen favors late-night skirmishes, performing best around 11 PM—when perhaps the Viking blood runs hottest or the coffee is at its strongest. Interestingly, Saturdays have proven to be lucky days, where the win rate hits a perfect 100%. Maybe it’s the weekend vibe, or maybe opponents just sense the storm coming.

Tilt? A mere 5 out of 100—Ellen handles ups and downs with a Viking stoicism. With a current winning streak in hand, and a fighting heart that refuses to settle for less, Ellen keeps marching forward on the chessboard, draped in bravery and a hint of Nordic charm.

Highlight: A Swift Checkmate Victory in 2025

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Qf6 3. Qe2 Nh6 4. Nc3 Bc5 5. Nd5 Qd6 6. Ne3 Nc6 7. c3 f5 8. d3 f4 9. Nc4 Ng4 
10. Nxd6+ Bxd6 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Bc5 14. Qd3 Rf8 15. Qc4 Bb6 16. f3 Ne3 17. Qe2 
Bxd4 18. Bd2 Nc2+ 19. Kd1 Nxa1 20. Bb4 d5 21. exd5 Kd8 22. Qe7#
  

If this doesn’t make you want to shout “Skål!” to the chess gods, nothing will.

Watch EllenViking’s journey unfold: a true blend of Viking courage and modern chess cunning.