Michael Buscar – National Master Extraordinaire
Once a mere mortal with a Blitz rating of 1267 in 2013, Michael Buscar has blitzed his way through the ranks to become a formidable National Master. Known in the chess community by the username InitiatingASC, Michael's journey is a tale of perseverance, tactical brilliance, and the occasional pawn sacrifice that somehow still amazes opponents.
With over a decade of competitive play, Michael's Blitz peak soared to an astonishing 2568 by 2025 – impressive enough to make even Magnus Magnusson raise an eyebrow. If bullet chess were an Olympic sport, Michael would be draped in gold, having topped a 2538 rating and boasting a dazzling 2472 average win rate at his prime.
Michael’s opening repertoire is as versatile as a Swiss army knife. He favors the sharp and aggressive Sicilian Defense, especially the Pelikan and Sveshnikov Variations, with a respectable 44% win rate in Blitz games. When not launching knights and bishops down the board, he cleverly switches to the Reti Opening or the English Opening, keeping opponents guessing and often scrambling for their queens.
Famous for a comeback rate of nearly 94%, Michael rarely lets a lost piece dictate the outcome. In fact, if he loses a piece, opponents better start sweating — because Michael’s win rate after losing material sits at a perfect 100%. Talk about turning the tables!
His psychological fortitude may wobble at times – with a "Tilt Factor" of 10, he's human after all – but his endgame play shines bright. With an average of 84 moves per victory, Michael clearly enjoys a lengthy battle royale on the 64 squares, much to the delight (and sometimes despair) of his spectators.
Not just a blitz beast, Michael shows versatility across formats. Whether it's the lightning-fast bullet games or the slower, strategic rapid matches, he adapts fluidly. His win rates hover around 40-45%, a strong showing against diverse opponents.
When asked about his secret to success, Michael simply smiles and says: "Patience, preparation, and never underestimating the power of a sneaky knight fork." Fans of high-stakes chess know to watch this National Master closely – because each game is a masterclass delivered with a dash of humor, a sprinkle of grit, and moves that keep everyone on their toes.