Michael Bezold (aka FeuerwehrmannSam)
Title: Grandmaster (FIDE)
Michael Bezold is not your average chess player; they're the schemer behind the username FeuerwehrmannSam. With the coveted Grandmaster title from FIDE under their belt, Michael has crafted a career full of tactical wizardry, thrilling comebacks, and a dash of psychological warfare.
Playing Style & Strengths
Michael's style can be described as both methodical and daring. With an endgame frequency of over 89%, they love squeezing out wins in long battles, proving patience truly is a virtue on the 64 squares. Their knack for comebacks shines with a staggering 80.7% comeback rate — losing a piece? No problem, Michael bounces back with a win rate of over 51% after material loss. They've truly mastered the art of never giving up.
Whether wielding White or Black, Michael maintains a solid grip on the game with a White win rate of 56.6% and a respectable Black win rate of 52.6%. They prefer to keep their openings top secret, but some favorites include the Pirc Defense, Modern Defense, and the crafty Catalan Opening Closed.
Rating Highlights
Watch out world! Michael's peak Blitz rating rocketed to an impressive 2861 in March 2025, putting them in the rarefied air of chess elites. Their Rapid peak sits solidly at 2487 reached earlier in 2019.
Currently, Michael is riding a rollercoaster of intense Blitz battles, having played over 800 blitz games with a robust overall win record (481 wins vs. 324 losses). No stranger to rapid-fire decision-making, they crush opponents while keeping a humorously low tilt factor of just 6 — clearly, a zen master disguised as a chess powerhouse.
Competitive Highlights & Notable Games
On June 2, 2025, Michael snagged a recent brilliant victory as Black against binhminh2000 using the Pirc Defense, winning by resignation after a tense 29-move bout that had spectators at the edge of their seats.
But even Grandmasters have their off days. Michael’s latest loss came a day later against Lennis93, in a grueling Caro-Kann Defense slugfest — a reminder that even the best must occasionally bow to fate... or just a crafty opponent.
Fun Facts
- Michael’s best time to play? 9 PM sharp — apparently, midnight snacks fuel those brilliant endgames.
- Longest winning streak: 9 games — imagine the celebration dance after that run!
- With an average of over 76 moves per win, Michael clearly enjoys the scenic route to victory rather than a quick "checkmate and run."
- Known for absolutely demolishing certain opponents, Michael has a perfect 100% win rate against several usernames including chessi96, dimka_h, and boris_plotnikov.
In the chess world, Michael Bezold is a brilliant tactician, a relentless competitor, and a wellspring of unexpected moves. Whether blitzing through the battlefield or navigating intricate rapid encounters, this Grandmaster remains a force to be reckoned with. Opponents beware: when playing Michael (or FeuerwehrmannSam), expect the unexpected and prepare for a masterclass in strategy — with a side of humor!