Mike Bond (aka Mikebond105)
Meet Mike Bond, a chess player who’s been fiercely pushing pawns and twisting knights on Chess.com since at least 2018. Starting off with a modest daily rating just shy of 700, Mike’s journey is nothing if not a rollercoaster—marked by swings, streaks, and that inevitable mix of triumphs and “wait, what just happened?” moments that keep the game interesting.
While his blitz and bullet ratings reached fiery peaks—topping out at 1,223 in blitz and an impressive 1,354 in bullet back in 2018—Mike’s daily rating tells the story of slow and steady grinding, cracking the 800+ barrier by mid-2025. This steady climb is a testament to his persistence, especially considering his well-documented “Tilt Factor” of 10, meaning when things go sideways, Mike might occasionally toss mental grenades all over the board.
His favorite battlefield? Daily chess, where Mike has amassed over 360 games using “Top Secret” openings—presumably strategies classified at the Pentagon—boasting about a 40% win rate, which suggests surprise and innovation play well to his strengths. Among those secret weapons, he’s dabbled in classic territory too, pulling off perfect win rates with the Queen’s Gambit Accepted and some quirky defenses like the Nimzowitsch Defense Scandinavian Bogoljubov Berlin Nimzowitsch Gambit. Say that three times fast!
Mike’s psychological quirks reveal he’s a comeback maestro, with a stunning 65% comeback rate—no wonder opponents never feel fully safe. He thrives at odd hours, especially the mysterious 3 AM slot, where his win rates skyrocket, hinting he’s either a night owl or fueled by some secret midnight potion.
His encounters with fellow players like “abridge92” (his toughest frequent rival) often resemble epic sagas, with Mike winning about a third of those battles, while shredding lesser-known foes with over 90% success. When playing white, Mike strikes with a slightly better success rate than black, proving he’s got a bit more spring in his step when making the first move.
Known for averaging over 50 moves in his wins, Mike clearly enjoys a good fight before sealing the deal. Whether it’s resignations (his opponents do plenty of those) or thrilling checkmates, he seems equally comfortable in long endgame tussles or sudden skirmishes.
In his latest documented win—a Queen’s Gambit Accepted affair—Mike’s strategic prowess forced his opponent to resign after sustained pressure and tactical finesse, a classic example of his steady, methodical grind to victory. Of course, his losses remind us all that even grandmasters have off days; in one recent game, he got caught by the notorious Scotch Game, urging him to perhaps rethink that line!
So here’s to Mike Bond, a player whose rating chart looks like a thrilling novel, full of highs, lows, and plenty of unexpected plot twists. If chess were a TV series, Mike’s would be that addictive show you binge—even if sometimes you grit your teeth during the cliffhanger losses.
