Melih Özcan (aka mlhzcn)
Melih Özcan is not just your average chess enthusiast; he’s a streamer who conquers the 64 squares with the speed and style of a grandmaster in training. Known in the online world as mlhzcn, Melih has blitzed his way from humble beginnings (around 925 Blitz rating in early 2019) to an impressive peak of 1834 in Blitz and an astonishing 2100 in Rapid chess by 2025. Not too shabby for someone who probably thought "castling" was some kind of dance move when he started streaming!
Chess Journey & Playing Style
From rapid-fire Bullet games to more thoughtful Rapid matches, Melih’s progress has been nothing short of electric. His Bullet peak rating hovers near 1970, with over 800 wins in Blitz alone. Melih’s chess style? A mix of tactical awareness and fearless comeback power – he boasts a 79% comeback rate after losing a piece. That’s like turning a pizza party into a five-star gourmet dinner — impressive and unexpected!
Did we mention Melih likes the Queens Pawn Opening and the Sicilian Defense? With win rates soaring above 70% in some variations, you'd better watch out if you face him there! His average game length hovers around 68 moves, which means he’s patient enough to outlast opponents but sharp enough to strike when the moment’s right.
Streaming Persona
As a streamer, Melih brings his chess battles to life with his engaging style and occasional infectious humor. His viewers witness thrilling games where resignation is often the final move, but it's rarely dull thanks to his tactical flair and streaks (his longest winning streak clocks in at a spectacular 18 games!). When Melih isn’t puzzling over openings, he’s making chess entertaining one stream at a time.
Fun Facts
- Melih’s best time of day to play is a mysterious 3:00 AM — maybe the chessboard loves the quiet nighttime ambiance?
- His games often end with resignation (~787 wins) or checkmate (~616 wins), indicating opponents either wave the white flag or get boxed in neatly.
- He has a slightly higher win rate with Black pieces (56%) than White (55%), proving you can bring the heat even when you’re not making the first move.
Recent Notable Victory
In a dramatic recent encounter, Melih defeated a 2054-rated opponent using the Sicilian Defense - Nyezhmetdinov Rossolimo Fianchetto Variation, winning by resignation. That’s right, Melih forced enough pressure and tactical shots that his opponent threw in the towel before facing the music!
All in all, Melih Özcan is a dynamic chess talent and streamer who knows how to entertain and win — sometimes both at the same time!