Christopher Pace
National Master of Chess
Christopher Pace, known in the chess world as ItalianMachine, has danced their pieces across the board with the grace and precision of a seasoned National Master. Whether blitzing through rapid-fire matches or patiently strategizing in long daily games, Christopher’s chess journey is nothing short of a rollercoaster—sometimes soaring to dizzying rating heights, other times taking a breather to ponder the mysteries of Zugzwang.
Starting with a modest blitz rating of around 2200 back in 2010, Chris steadily climbed the ladder to reach an impressive peak blitz rating of 2557 in September 2023. Not to be outdone, their bullet games reached a zenith of 2476 in early 2024, proving that the fastest brain beats the clock. Their rapid and daily ratings also tell tales of a versatile warrior, with highs above 2400 and a penchant for seizing victory.
Winning isn't just a pastime—it’s a streak! Christopher boasts a personal longest winning streak of 31 games. They also know the tough taste of losing, but only after a mere 21-game losing streak, which is practically a warm-up in the battlefield of sixty-four squares.
Playing Style and Quirks
- Early Resignation Rate: A humble 0.88%, meaning Christopher hardly ever throws in the towel early—unless the opponent has just pulled off a preposterous gambit.
- Endgame Enthusiast: With a frequent endgame presence of over 74%, our National Master loves the long haul of slowly strangling opponents—think of it as chess’s way of slow cooking.
- Comeback Kid: An astounding 82.92% comeback rate after losing a piece shows resilience that would make Rocky Balboa proud.
- Time Preferences: Early birds catch the worm; for Chris, 8 AM is their shining hour when their brain's knights and bishops are firing on all cylinders.
Opening Lightsaber
Chris wields a mysterious "Top Secret" opening arsenal with a solid 56%+ win rate in blitz. When feeling adventurous, Chris dabbles in the Nimzowitsch Larsen Attack and King's Indian Defense, sometimes winning over 75% of those battles. Honestly, it's like having a secret weapon that opponents can only guess at (and still lose).
A Recent Blast from the Board
Just last month, at a game on May 28, 2025, ItalianMachine triumphed over 2011KING in a thrilling exchange of Slav Defense moves, ending with the opponent’s resignation. The final moves were a testament to Christopher’s tactical prowess, showcasing strong pressure, creativity, and nerves of steel.
Records and Rivalries
Christopher's chess journey is filled with memorable battles against familiar foes. Their favorite opponent for grinding out wins? italian-stallion1, with a whopping 83% win rate in their 1,341 encounters. But watch out: some adversaries have managed to test the master’s mettle with near-zero success rates. Sometimes, even masters get stumped!
In Conclusion
Christopher Pace is not just a chess player; they’re a chess storyteller, weaving tales of sacrifice, strategy, and subtlety on the 64 squares. With a National Master title in hand and a hunger for improving their play, the chess world eagerly watches as ItalianMachine continues to surprise, conquer, and utterly baffle opponents around the globe.
Remember the name—at least until next game.