Ryan Michael

Ryan Michael (aka geekszz) - The Chess Adventurer

Ryan Michael, better known in the chess world as "geekszz," is a dynamic player whose knight moves often surprise both opponents and spectators alike. With a flair for the rapid and blitz formats, Ryan has shown a mix of gritty resilience and moments of brilliant strategy.

Ratings & Rankings

Ryan's chess journey is a rollercoaster of ratings that reflects both determination and the occasional "oops" moment. His peak Rapid rating of 521 in October 2022 shows he’s more than capable when the clock ticks down. In blitz, he climbed to an impressive 233 in March 2025, proving he can handle the heat of fast-paced games. Bullet? Well, 202 is nothing to sneeze at either.

Playing Style & Stats

Patience isn’t Ryan's most obvious virtue. With an early resignation rate of about 15%, sometimes the phrase "better safe than sorry" takes over before the opponent can enjoy a checkmate celebration. Yet, his endgame frequency is quite respectable at 44.66%, showing he doesn’t shy away from a good finish.

His average game spans roughly 45 moves for wins, a sign that he likes a thorough fight. Playing with White yields a win rate of 43.17%, while Black isn't far behind at 41.58% — balance is key!

Despite facing tough opponents, Ryan’s comeback rate stands tall at 59.24%, a testament to his fighting spirit and ability to claw his way back from setbacks. Also, losing a piece doesn’t always mean game over; he manages to snatch victory about one-third of the time even after such mishaps.

Favorite Openings & Quirks

Ryan's opening repertoire is a curious blend, with particular love for:

• Blitz: Caro Kann Defense (57% win rate), Three Knights Opening, and Queen’s Pawn Opening variations.
• Rapid: Three Knights Opening with a stellar 61.5% win rate, and Scandinavian Defense (63.6% win rate).

He also enjoys occasionally throwing the Van t Kruijs Opening into the mix — a tricky choice that keeps opponents on their toes.

Notable Moments

One of Ryan's most satisfying victories recently came with a clever checkmate in a Polish Defense game, delighting fans who love sharp tactical play. Despite some tough losses — including one on time (blame the nerves!) — he’s always ready for the next match with a hopeful grin and a fresh strategy.

Psychological Notes

Ryan thrives best around 10 AM, so if you're planning a match, consider scheduling it then — you might catch him at his sharpest! Just don’t be surprised if he occasionally tilts; his tilt factor is 8, suggesting he’s human after all.

Community & Opponents

With over 97 battles against a single opponent (capozziii), Ryan demonstrates loyalty — or perhaps obsession — to familiar rivals. While some adversaries have managed to escape his winning grasp, others have felt his sting repeatedly, with a perfect 100% record against various players. In the end, Ryan's chess story is one of perseverance, strategic creativity, and the occasional blunder turned masterpiece.

In the great chessboard of life, Ryan Michael plays like a knight: sometimes leaping unpredictably, occasionally stumbling, but always aiming for checkmate.

Ready your pawns and queens - Ryan is coming for you!