Mark Smirnov FM

Mark Smirnov - FIDE Master Extraordinaire

Known in the chess world by the enigmatic username Herzog2012, Mark Smirnov is a dazzling FIDE Master whose games are as thrilling as a suspense novel and as intricate as a Swiss watch. Starting from humble beginnings somewhere near the 500 rating mark in blitz chess back in 2019, Mark’s journey through the treacherous ranks has been nothing short of a roller-coaster—say goodbye to rating dips and hello to a high-flying masterpiece that peaked at an impressive 2841 in blitz in early 2025.

Playing Style

Mark doesn’t just play chess—he orchestrates it. With a love for endgames (appearing in over 70% of his games!) and a penchant for strategies that extend games beyond 60 moves, his style is a graceful dance of patience, precision, and pluck. Average first captures at move six prove he’s neither reckless nor shy, capturing at the perfect moment to turn the tide. Interestingly, Mark is also a tactical wizard with a comeback rate of over 78%, meaning if he’s losing, don’t blink—you might just miss the turnaround! His tilt factor, a mere 11, suggests his nerves stay cool when the clock ticks.

Favorite Openings

In blitz, it's the Undefined openings followed closely by Sicilian Defense French Variation that fill his book, both boasting win rates north of 60%. Bullet games see a fierce preference for the Van t Kruijs Opening and Pirc Defense, where he reigns with win rates around 70%. Daily and rapid games bring out his love for classical lines like the French Defense Exchange and the Italian Game, showing off an 80% win rate in rapid's Italian Game—a line as elegant as his maneuvering on the board.

Achievements & Stats

• Title: FIDE Master (because one title just isn’t enough)
• Peak Blitz Rating: 2841 (January 2025)
• Peak Bullet Rating: 2821 (January 2025)
• Peak Rapid Rating: 2293 (January 2023)
• Peak Daily Rating: 1818 (August 2023)
• Longest Winning Streak: 25 games (yes, that’s a lot of 'checkmates' handed out)

Who's Afraid of Mark?

Among his most frequent opponents, Mark has a solid track record against marusyakholyavko with over 50 matches and slightly over 50% win rate—no small feat in blitz chaos. He dominates players like hordepro3000 and erekenius, proving his dominance in rapid-fire play. Oddly enough, he has a shaky record against nigelshort with a modest 12.5% win rate, reminding us even heroes have their kryptonite.

Noteworthy Battles

His recent matches read like tales of tactical fireworks and last-minute rescues. Take, for example, his stunning checkmate victory against qwerty_cool_123 in June 2025 — a game brewed over coffee, nerves, and almost 40 moves of relentless Pressure. Not just wins, his few losses show the heart of a true warrior, with tough games against wqws where time was his ultimate opponent.

A Day in the Life

If you're hoping to catch Mark in his prime, aim for evenings, especially around 8 PM, where his win rates peak—it’s like his chess neurons switch to a higher gear (or grab an extra shot of espresso). Tuesdays and Sundays see him playing his trickiest moves, with a daily win percentage nudging above 63%, definitely not your average weekend hobbyist.

In Summary

Mark Smirnov is that rare kind of chess player who juggles precision, tactical wizardry, and a sprinkle of cheeky bravado. A FIDE Master who’s not just climbing the ranks but rewriting his playbook every game. Whether blitz, bullet, or rapid, expect an entertaining mix of classic openings, fierce battles, and that persistent drive to convert every board into a spectacle. Need a good challenge? Mark Smirnov might just be your next adversary... or your next chess inspiration.

Last Brilliant Game

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 e5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. f5 Nc6 11. Be3 Ne8 12. O-O-O Nd6 13. g4 Nd4 14. Qf2 b5 15. Rhf1 b4 16. Nd5 c6 17. f6 cxd5 18. fxg7 Kxg7 19. Bxd4 exd4 20. Qxd4+ Kg8 21. Qxd5 Qc7 22. e5 Nb7 23. e6 fxe6 24. Qxe6+ Kg7 25. Rde1 Rxf1 26. Bxf1 Qf4+ 27. Kb1 Rf8 28. Bc4 Kh6 29. a4 Nc5 30. Qe7 Qf2 31. Re5 Rf4 32. Qg5+ Kg7 33. Re7+ Kf8 34. Rxh7 Qe1+ 35. Ka2 b3+ 36. cxb3 Qc1# 1-0