Miguel López

Miguel López aka Mkzmex

Meet Miguel López, the chess enthusiast who navigates the 64 squares with enough passion to keep opponents on their toes and sometimes wondering if it’s wizardry or just persistence. Known online as Mkzmex, Miguel has battled in thousands of games across all time controls, from lightning-fast bullet to the more deliberate rapid and daily chess.

Playing Journey and Style

Starting with a blitz peak rating of 761 and a daily peak of 843, Miguel’s journey reads like a rollercoaster ride of ratings that go up, dip, and rise again – proving that chess is as much about resilience as it is about strength. His rapid peak around 680 showcases a strong middle ground where he feels most comfortable and strategic, while bullet remains a challenge, with a personal best rating shy of 500.

Don't mistake his playful rating swings for inconsistency! With a tactical awareness boasting an 86% comeback rate, Miguel knows how to turn tables when the chips are down. Losing a piece? No worries, he claims a respectable 45% win rate afterward. But beware the tilt factor – at 11, it’s a sure sign Miguel cares deeply about every move, which also means you might see some early resignations when the pressure is on.

Opening Repertoire

Miguel has a particular fondness for the Queen’s Pawn Opening - Zukertort Variation, where he’s scored over 50% wins in blitz and an impressive 62% in rapid play. The Colle System and French Defense have also featured prominently in his games, with the latter shining in rapid with a 71% win rate. When it comes to defense, he dabbles in the Caro-Kann, though it’s a love-hate relationship reflected in his sub-40% win rates there. It’s clear Miguel enjoys variety, perhaps because switching up openings keeps even him on his toes.

Record Highlights & Rivalries

Miguel’s record shows a nearly even split in blitz, with 181 wins against 188 losses, and a handful of draws to keep things interesting. He holds a positive edge in rapid chess with 185 wins to 157 losses. His most recent victory was a dazzling checkmate using the Colle System against a player named Bhymz, delivering a clean and classic finish in just under 30 moves – a testament to his love for sharp, tactical fights.

Opponents beware: Miguel boasts 100% win rates against a surprising roster of players with nicknames like batuhanaykac, geoff-az, and lionelmaggi. Though he may have a few rivals who keep his win count lower (looking at you n2711 and sweigart), Miguel is always ready for the next challenge.

Personality & Quirks

What sets Miguel apart isn’t just his chess prowess but his impeccable sense of timing — his best hours to strike on the board are mornings around 8 AM and afternoons near 4 PM, where he pulls off an impressive 65% win rate. Yet, he’s known to get a bit “tilted” (which in chess-speak means slightly flustered) now and then, proving even grandmasters in spirit can be human. Also, some find his early resignation rate of just over 3% amusingly pragmatic – why stick around for inevitable defeat when you can conserve your mental energy for the next battle?

Fun Fact

Despite all the stats, Miguel's real secret weapon is his ability to surprise someone in the very last move — checkmating opponents in time scramble situations or winning by timeout. It's not just chess; it’s a mental chess-boxing bout where endurance counts!

Curious to see his style? Check out his most recent crushing victory in a live game: a brilliant use of the Colle System, culminating in a swift and decisive checkmate against Bhymz on June 3rd, 2025.

Whether you're facing Miguel online or just watching his games unfold, one thing’s certain: Mkzmex plays chess not just to win, but to tell a story at every move – some of them triumphant, some of them educational, but always engaging.