Michael Depuydt (Lichae) - The Chess Adventurer
Meet Michael Depuydt, a chess player whose journey through the ranks is as colorful and unpredictable as a knight's dance across a chessboard. Known by the online moniker Lichae, Michael has embraced the trials and tribulations of rapid, blitz, and bullet chess with a spirit that's part strategist, part thrill-seeker.
Performance Highlights
Michael’s rapid rating has seen quite the rollercoaster ride, peaking at 1005 in 2024 before taking a nosedive to 278 in 2025. It seems that the rapid battlefield is where his love-hate relationship with the game truly unfolds, boasting an overall win rate of around 38% but never shying away from a challenge—even if it means racking up more losses than wins sometimes.
Blitz chess tells a tale of brief engagements rather than long wars, with Michael dipping his toes in a handful of games but unfortunately not managing to snag a win yet. Bullet chess, however, reveals a fighter who knows how to capitalize under time pressure, with some notable victories and a comeback rate of a remarkable 52.7%. Apparently, giving up a piece only lights a fire under him—Michael’s win rate after losing a piece? A perfect 100%!
Opening Repertoire
With a fondness for the King’s Pawn Opening, Michael enjoys throwing open the gates of classic chess fight, scoring roughly a third of his wins here. But don't underestimate the surprise factor he brings with the Van 't Kruijs Opening, where his winning percentage winks at 55%. On the darker side, defenses like the Alekhine’s Defense and French Defense appear to have given him a few headaches, as victories are as rare as a blunder-free game.
Playing Style and Psychological Traits
Michael plays like he’s in it for the thrill rather than just the trophies. With an early resignation rate of just 6.67%, he’s hardly one to throw in the towel without a fight. Games tend to be long affairs for him, averaging nearly 50 moves to secure a win, showing endurance and patience.
A bit of a rollercoaster, Michael is known to have a tilt factor of 7, meaning sometimes frustration creeps in, yet his tactical awareness shines through—he’s the comeback kid who refuses to quit even when down a piece. The psychological edge? He performs better when stakes are on the line, showcasing a 34% higher success rate in rated games versus casual duels.
Memorable Opponents & Fun Facts
Michael’s rollercoaster journey includes battles against a sea of opponents from “oklm_arthur” to “jennifergrand,” sometimes walking away victorious, sometimes not. He has a 100% win record against a few lucky challengers like “sefudar” and “ar4ibyca,” but perhaps his toughest nemesis is consistency itself.
When it comes to timing, this chess adventurer shines best on Tuesdays with a win rate close to 43%, and has some near-mythical hours at 9 AM and 7 AM where he enjoys a perfect 100% winning streak. Whether it's the early morning coffee or sheer luck, those hours might just be Michael's secret weapon.
In Conclusion
Michael Depuydt is not the typical grandmaster-in-the-making; he’s a fearless, sometimes unpredictable warrior on the 64 squares, always ready to experiment with openings and brave long, drawn-out endgames. His story is one of perseverance, a dash of madness, and the pure joy of the game—proving chess isn’t only about numbers on a rating chart but the tales behind every move.