Michael Hennigan
International Master of Chess
Meet Michael Hennigan, known in chess circles as mhennigan. An International Master certified by FIDE, Michael is a creative tactician and a formidable blitz force who has been dazzling opponents since at least 2020.
With a blitz peak rating soaring to an impressive 2553 in November 2024, Michael plays lightning-fast games that often resemble a thrilling roller coaster—with a few unexpected twists and an astonishing 77.43% comeback rate when facing adversity. Despite a modest tilt factor of 8 (for aggressive souls, that means he keeps his cool better than most), he thrives most spectacularly in the late evening—especially at 10 PM—when opponents best beware his razor-sharp instincts.
It's no surprise that Michael’s blitz playing style is both deep and enduring, averaging over 67 moves per win. He prefers mastering the art of the endgame, where patience and precision crown true champions. His opening repertoire is shrouded in secrecy (chess players LOVE a bit of mystery), but one thing’s clear: he’s been victorious in over 55% of his blitz battles, chalking up a whopping 405 wins against 295 losses.
Michael's dominance is not limited to blitz; he boasts a perfect 100% win rate in his daily games (albeit a bit more casual and contemplative). Bullet chess, however, remains a humbling challenge with a few misfires. But hey, even the greatest warriors have their off days!
Off the board, Michael is known to keep opponents guessing and fans entertained with his fearless gambits and tactical wizardry. His favorite recent game was a Chess960 encounter (because why always follow tradition?) where he outwitted his opponent on time after a tense, strategic grind from the first move e4 to the last push.
Fun Facts & Stats:
- Longest winning streak: 10 games
- Fastest blitz win? Usually on time pressure - sometimes the clock is the real opponent.
- White pieces win rate: 57.88%, Black pieces win rate: 54.52% — balance is key!
- He's battled top opponents over 60 times, including a respectable rivalry with "krigal".
- Loves playing at peak hours: 1 PM and 10 PM, with near flawless win percentages.
Whether it’s time pressure, tactical skirmishes, or endgame toolkits, Michael Hennigan continues to prove that chess is more than just a game—it's a spectacular mental marathon. Watch this space; the IM might just become a GM yet, or at least a legend with a few hilarious (and brilliant) blunders along the way!