Carlus Mansen - The Chess Maverick
Meet Carlus Mansen, also known in the digital realm as Marcoco18, a chess player whose journey is as dynamic and intriguing as his gameplay. From battling it out in blazes of Bullet speed to carefully crafting strategies in Rapid and Daily formats, Carlus has seen it all—and survived to tell the tale.
Starting from humble beginnings with a modest Blitz rating below 600 in early 2018, Carlus quickly rose through the ranks, peaking impressively at 1678 in Blitz by August 2024—proof that perseverance (and perhaps a bit of caffeine) can do wonders. Not one to be pigeonholed, he boasts a striking Bullet peak rating of 1726 and a remarkable Rapid peak of 2035, showcasing not only speed but also deep strategic prowess.
But what truly sets Carlus apart? His unpredictability and his love for the Sicilian Defense, which he wields often—sometimes like a scalpel, often like a machete. His win rates vary from a respectable 51%+ against the classic Sicilian Defense to a sprightly 59% using the mysterious Top Secret opening, which may or may not actually be secret, as the jury's still out on that one.
When it comes to opponents, he has a couple of arch-nemeses and comrades he has faced dozens of times, such as damianodeimaneskins and asimovf1977. His win-loss narratives against these frequent foes make for thrilling rivalries: sometimes he triumphs, sometimes he learns, but always he strives. Considering his psychological tilt factor is only 12%, Carlus manages to keep his cool even after a few blunder-filled or nail-biting games.
Playing Style
With an average of nearly 67 moves per win, Carlus isn’t just in a hurry to checkmate—he enjoys the full symphony of a prolonged struggle. His games feature a juicy average of first captures around move 7, indicating a balanced blend between caution and aggression. While playing White, he enjoys a slight edge with a 53% win rate, versus a solid 51% with Black—quite the all-rounder.
Fun fact: his endgame frequency is a hefty 73%, proving he’s no quitter and prefers to play out the full drama rather than resigning early like a certain few do (only 1.46% early resignation rate—that's like just missing the deadline for a nap). When the going gets tough, Carlus has nearly 79% comeback rate after losing material, a sign that you’re never safe when facing him!
Peak Achievements
- Blitz: 1678 (August 2024)
- Bullet: 1726 (January 2025)
- Rapid: 2035 (March 2024)
- Daily: 1642 (March 2022)
Opening Arsenal Highlights
Carlus loves mixing it up but is fond of strategic dramas: Sicilian Defense, Indian Game, Slav Defense, and the elusive Englund Gambit (because who doesn’t like a surprise from time to time?). On the flip side, his Alapin Sicilian Defense seems to be tricky, as the win rate there is a modest 40-42%, so watch out for that line—it might be his Achilles’ heel.
Recent Victory Spotlight
In a recent masterpiece game against kirko080, Carlus delivered a checkmate illuminating the battlefield like a chess fireworks display. Check out the dazzling final move in this game—a reminder that strategy and flair can coexist beautifully.
Matchups to Notice
If you cross swords with Marcoco18, be sure to bring your A-game against his favorite opponents, especially those he has bested repeatedly. The man has a near 60-70% success against many of his most played adversaries, and might just hold a grudge against those pesky players he’s lost to more often (looking at you, il-bobby).
All in all, whether in Bullet blitz or a cerebral game of Rapid, Carlus Mansen is a competitor who embraces the chaos and calm of chess alike—always ready with a move, a plan, and perhaps a few jokes about how his queen outranks him both on the board and in real life.