Michael Kopylov (Malysch) - International Master Extraordinaire
Michael Kopylov, better known in the chess universe as Malysch, is an International Master recognized by FIDE who dances on the 64 squares with both grace and grit. With a peak blitz rating soaring to 2612 achieved in October 2023, Michael has proven that lightning-fast tactical prowess and strategic depth can coexist in a single, formidable player.
Known for his tenacity and sharp endgame skills—he engages in endgames a remarkable 73% of the time—Malysch is no stranger to the grind of long battles, often averaging nearly 70 moves per victory. His comeback rate after setbacks is a staggering 86%, showing he never surrenders without a fight, and even after losing a piece, he wins almost half those games. That’s resilience with a capital R.
Across all formats—blitz, rapid, and bullet—Malysch is a worthy adversary. While his blitz adventures boast over 600 wins out of nearly 1,400 games, rapid shows a cool half win rate, and bullet, the adrenaline rush format, reveals his fast fingers with a 2208 peak. Though daily chess is his least-traveled terrain, sometimes you don’t need to play slow to be brilliant.
If you ever wonder when Michael is primed to strike, the early morning hours around 1 AM seem to be his sweet spot—his “Best Time of Day to Play”, where his win rate shoots to almost 82%. Clearly, while the world sleeps, Malysch is scheming moves and striking fear in the hearts of opponents worldwide.
His style? An intriguing blend of boldness and pragmatism. About 6% of the time, he admits defeat early (hey, even grandmasters bow before chaos sometimes), but more often, he battles deep into the trenches. His white pieces bring him a slightly better success rate than black, 47% versus 45%, making him a fair player regardless of color.
Michael's record against many opponents is peppered with perfect win rates and a few tricky rivals keeping him on his toes. Notably, losses outnumber wins by a slim margin in blitz games, testament to the fiercely competitive realm he operates in.
Recent Encounter: A Victory of Subtle Brilliance
On July 16, 2024, wielding the white pieces in a heated blitz duel, Malysch executed a classic Queen’s Gambit Accepted (ECO D20), culminating in a graceful win by resignation after over 60 moves of intense positional play. The final position, a symphony of precise attacks and careful defense, left his opponent with no choice but to concede. Replay the battle here and witness the strategic mastery in action.
Despite occasional setbacks—his most recent losses also showcase high-level battles with tough opponents—Michael Kopylov remains a bright star in the chess firmament, continuously sharpening his craft and enjoying the beautiful struggle of this ancient art.
In short: If chess were a movie, Michael Kopylov would be the protagonist who crawls back from the brink of doom to snatch victory from razor-thin margins – with a little bit of style, a touch of madness, and a lot of heart.