Matt Morton

Matt Morton (mmorton235) - The Relentless Rapid Rambler

Matt Morton, known on the digital battlefield as mmorton235, has been waging strategic warfare across the chessboard since 2018. With a penchant for rapid games, Matt’s favorite time control is aptly titled “Rapid,” where he’s shown a blend of tactical spontaneity and deep strategic thought—most days.

Rating Journey

Starting with a modest Rapid rating of 800 in November 2018, Matt’s journey has been a rollercoaster of brilliant victories, learning curves, and the occasional “what just happened” moment. His peak Rapid rating soared to an impressive 1051 in April 2023, proving that persistence often trumps pure talent (or at least keeps things interesting!).

Though his Blitz and Bullet ratings might suggest he’s more of a methodical thinker than a speed demon, don’t let that fool you—his Bullet win rate is nothing to sneeze at, boasting several 100% win ratios against certain openings. Slow and steady? Sure. But every once in a while, Matt lets the hounds of speed chase loose.

Playing Style

Matt's games tend to last a respectable number of moves—averaging about 56 moves per win and 38 moves per loss, showing he's not one to throw in the towel early (early resignation rate only about 11%). If you catch him with White, expect a slightly better win rate than as Black, but either way, he’s aiming for control and calm precision.

His openings repertoire is a fascinating mix—he enjoys classics like the Caro Kann Defense and Scotch Game, comfortably navigates the Kings Pawn Opening Kings Knight Variation, and evidently loves waltzing through the Queens Pawn Opening Chigorin Variation to keep opponents guessing. For blitz and bullet, he’s not shy to experiment, though sometimes results can be... mixed.

Victories and Defeats: The Saga Unfolds

With a near-even split between wins and losses in rapid (734 wins, 706 losses), Matt epitomizes the spirited competitor who fights every game to the finish. His longest winning streak is a solid 10 games, but beware his 9-game losing streaks—yes, even the best have their “off” days. His current run might not be that hot, but the comeback stats say he’s not out for the count; his resilience shines with nearly 62% comeback rate.

Recent Highlight - Masterclass in Caro-Kann

One of Matt’s most recent masterful performances was against sandyboxer, where, playing Black, he clinched victory by resignation in a Caro-Kann Defense battle. It was a clash where patience met precision, culminating in a beautiful sequence that left the opponent no choice but to call it quits.

The Opponents’ Club: Mixed Bag Edition

Matt has faced a colorful array of opponents, including frequent matches with guest2710201906 (9 games, unbeatable with a 100% win rate) and jacksonbonvissuto (5 games, holding a strong 80% win rate). Conversely, some opponents have proven trickier, like yes_ii and itachiedanstoncrane, managing to hold Matt at bay.

Timing Is Everything

If you want to face Matt at his best, try scheduling your games around 7 AM when his play peaks (or perhaps sleep in and catch him before coffee wears off!). Interestingly, Friday and Thursday pose a slight dip in his winning chances, so maybe avoid scheduling those days for a hassle-free game.

Psychological Quirks

Matt’s tilt factor is quite low (9/100), indicating he rarely throws tantrums over a lost queen or a sneaky fork. He is capable of impressive comebacks, turning the tide even after losing pieces, with a comeback rate near 62%. However, despite his resilience, he shows a minor dip when switching from casual to rated matches, struggling a bit with the extra pressure.

Summary

To sum up Matt Morton: a fearless rapid strategist with a hearty love for the timeless classic openings, a knack for resilience, and a proven ability to bounce back from defeat. With a mix of grit, growth, and a splash of humor in play, he’s a rising force who’s as comfortable giving a checkmate as receiving one—because in chess, every move counts, and every loss is just a plot twist in the saga of mastery.