hakan sakarya

Meet Hakan Sakarya aka "Lakedeeper"

Hakan Sakarya, a.k.a. Lakedeeper, is an intrepid chess player who dances with the complexities of the 64 squares like a grandmaster-in-training with a flair for drama. His blitz and bullet games tell tales of daring tactics, fierce battles, and occasional spectacular blunders (hey, nobody’s perfect!).

Rating and Stats

Hakan’s peak ratings peaked at:

• Blitz: 742 (March 2021)
• Bullet: 694 (March 2021)
• Daily: 654 (March 2021)
• Rapid: 692 (April 2021)

While these numbers might not yet scare Magnus Carlsen, they do hint at a player who's constantly improving and occasionally unleashing tactical fireworks, especially in swift time controls.

Playing Style

Hakan tends to embrace the Nimzowitsch Defense with open arms — after all, he boasts a juicy 60% win rate with it in blitz. His favorite lanes to explore include the Kings Pawn and Queen’s Pawn openings, with a notable preference for tricky variations like the Zukertort Chigorin. As “Lakedeeper,” he patiently navigates middlegames, showing an impressive 81.62% comeback rate, proving resilience even after losing material.

He’s not afraid of a long endgame (averaging 53 moves in wins!), proving stamina and patience can trump flashy sacrifices — although he does have an 11% early resignation rate, admitting sometimes you just gotta accept when your opponent's knight fork says "checkmate soon".

Recent Glories & Defeats

On June 3, 2025, playing as Black in a blitz battle against "frasergrady," Hakan showcased his Nimzowitsch Defense prowess to claim a win on time after a tense 77-move duel. It was a gritty defense combined with time management skills—a classic "win on the clock" victory that every rapid battler appreciates.

Of course, not all battles go his way — an earlier game that day against "karnanisanjay" ended in a loss on time, reminding us all that even the ferocious Lakedeeper can be a victim of the ticking clock's ruthless march.

Opponent Records & Rivalries

Hakan has some friends and foes he plays often! Notably, he boasts a 100% win rate against opponents like “frasergrady”, “billalbillou”, “notagmnicholas”, and “taxoun” (take note, rivals!). Yet, some players have cracked his armor — a humble reminder that every hero has a nemesis.

When to Watch Out

His best time to strike on the board? Around 23:00 (11 PM), when his psychological focus is sharp and his "tilt factor" is at a manageable 12%. Beware night owls challenging him after midnight; chances are, they’re playing battle chess with a sleeping lion.

Fun Fact

Despite a lower bullet rating compared to blitz, Hakan pulled off impressive checkmates and slick wins in rapid games — showing his versatility in all formats. And hey, if moves per win were a sport, his average of 53 moves per victorious game would be an Olympic event!

So whether it's blitz, bullet, daily, or rapid, Hakan "Lakedeeper" Sakarya is a player who combines grit, resilience, and a pinch of unpredictability — always ready to dive into the next game with a smile (and a strong coffee).