Marcus Zheng NM

Marcus Zheng (MAAKASU)

Marcus Zheng is not your average chess warrior—holding the prestigious title of National Master, he battles across the 64 squares with a style as bold as his online alias, MAAKASU. A tactical genius with a penchant for opening preparation, Marcus’s journey is a thrilling rollercoaster of sharp attacks, deep strategic plays, and the occasional checkmate that leaves opponents asking, “Did I just lose to a calculator?”

Playing Profile

Specializing primarily in Blitz chess—the timed frenzy where every second counts—MAAKASU's peak blitz rating soared to an impressive 2463 in May 2025. His bullet chess skills are equally fierce, reaching a peak rating of 2480 just a month later, making him a lightning-fast tactician with nerves of steel.

While his daily rating has seen some fluctuations, with a high point of 1749 in early 2020, Marcus demonstrates resilience and adaptability, battling through ups and downs like a modern chess gladiator.

Strategic Tendencies & Openings

With a diverse repertoire, Marcus has torn apart defenses using openings like the London System (66.67% win rate in daily games) and the King’s Pawn Opening (an astonishing 92.31% win rate). Not one to shy away from complexity, his adventures in the Sicilian Defense are as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride—sometimes a breeze, sometimes a horror show depending on the variation!

Fun fact: Despite the usual nastiness of the Sicilian Defense Open Dragon Variation, Marcus manages a respectable 12.5% win rate here. Hey, every hero has their kryptonite.

Psychology of a Master

Known for his impressive comeback rate of over 80%, Marcus rarely gives up, even when the chips are down. His tilt factor clocks in at a modest 9, meaning he keeps his cool better than most when the pressure mounts—and honestly, keeping calm is half the battle on the battlefield of pawns and rooks.

Recent Battles

One of his most recent triumphs was a daily game against Gyuszko013, where after 23 absorbing moves, Marcus clinched the victory on time control. Classic MAAKASU style: outwit, outplay, and outlast! Not every game goes perfectly, though—he recently faced a tough loss by time against Kino in a high-level Blitz duel. But hey, even heroes drop a piece or two now and then.

Stats Snapshot

• Total Wins (across time controls): 1,794
• Total Losses: 1,298
• Total Draws: 376
• Longest Winning Streak: 15 games (because what’s life without a little streak of brilliance?)
• Favorite Time of Day to Play: 8:00 AM - early bird gets the queen!

Marcus Zheng continues to strive for greatness on the virtual chessboards, blending the artistry of opening preparation with the stamina of endgame mastery. Whether blitzing through opponents or grinding out a daily game, one thing is certain: MAAKASU’s chess story is far from over.

Stay tuned for his next sharp move!