Matt Henningsen

Matt Henningsen (mdhenningsen)

Meet Matt Henningsen, a passionate chess streamer whose journey on the 64-square battlefield is as much about entertainment as it is about the art of checkmate. Known online as mdhenningsen, Matt has steadily climbed the ranks with a blend of tactics, tenacity, and a dash of humor.

Rising Through the Ranks

Starting around 2020 with a modest rapid rating of about 800, Matt has sharpened his skills to achieve an impressive peak rapid rating of 1950 by mid-2025—a testament to his continuous improvement and dedication. His blitz and bullet ratings have also seen remarkable growth, with peak ratings reaching 1701 and 1819 respectively. Daily chess? He’s no slouch there either, boasting a peak of 1343.

Playing Style & Tactical Prowess

Matt enjoys long, strategic battles, averaging around 62 moves per win, proving he's patient enough to grind out victories. Although he does sometimes suffer from the dreaded early resignation syndrome (5.7%), his EndgameFrequency is an impressive 55%. When faced with adversity, Matt shows great grit, boasting a comeback rate of over 76% and managing to win nearly half of his games even after losing a piece.

Favorite Openings (with a Twist!)

• Polish Opening: Matt’s signature weapon, with a healthy win rate near 56% in rapid games. He’s mastered twists like the Kucharkowski Meybohm Gambit and the Czech Defense.
• French Defense Variations: A mixed bag with some solid wins in the Paulsen Attack and Knight Variations, Matt isn’t afraid to roll the dice.
• Englund Gambit (Bullet): Matt swings for the fences here with a 62+% win rate, showing he’s not afraid to get wild in faster games.

Statistics Worth Boasting About

• Total Wins: Over 8,000 combined across all time controls—yes, that's a lot of those little black-and-white battles.
• Longest Winning Streak: 14 games—a nice little brag for those days when Matt's pieces feel like superstars.
• Average Win Rate: Around 50% on most days, but watch out on Tuesdays and mornings around 9:00 AM—those are his golden hours!

Streaming and Personality

Besides being a serious competitor, Matt is a streamer who knows how to keep his audience entertained. If his chess moves don’t get you, his fun commentary and occasional blunders surely will. Remember, even the best have their off days, and Matt embraces the full rollercoaster experience of chess, streaming it for the world to enjoy.

Recent Highlight

In his latest win (May 31, 2025), Matt triumphantly dispatched opponent gok2turan with a slick Polish Opening, demonstrating his depth in this favorite opening line. His ability to strategize under pressure and convert time advantages into victory shines through in this intense 48-move encounter. Watch the game here!

Fun Fact

Matt’s psychological resilience is just as strong as his chess skills — his tilt factor is a chill 15, meaning he keeps cool even when his rook gets sneaky. And for all his mastery, he’s humble enough to lose now and then, keeping us all entertained.

In summary, Matt Henningsen is a chess player and streamer whose steady climb, tactical awareness, and lively personality make him a force on and off the board. Whether you’re here for the brilliant moves or the entertaining stream antics, Matt’s your guy. Just don’t challenge him before his 9 AM coffee!