Overview
Mike Ross, known online to some as NotTodaySir, is a sharp and entertaining Candidate Master recognized by FIDE. A lightning-fast tactician, Mike prefers Blitz play and has built a reputation for long, grinding wins and dramatic comebacks. He blends serious preparation with a wink and a one-liner when the position gets spicy.
- Title: Candidate Master (FIDE)
- Preferred time control: Blitz
- Style: Endgame specialist with patient buildup and a fondness for long games
Career Highlights
Mike rose through the online ranks with steady, relentless play. He has recorded peak performances across time controls - most notably a Bullet peak that turned heads and a Blitz peak that cemented his status among elite fast players. Opponents know him for squeezing advantages deep into the endgame.
- Notable peak performances include a Bullet peak of 2790 and a Blitz peak above 2700 - a rare sight for online specialists
- Consistent monthly stretches with high game counts - Mike is both durable and prolific
- Known for long decisive games - average decisive length often exceeds 80 moves
Playing Style & Stats Snapshot
Mike mixes deep endgame technique with resilient tactics. He tends to avoid quick flinches and often drags games into complex, piece-filled endgames where small advantages matter. That patience shows in unusually long average decisive lengths and a high endgame frequency.
- Endgame frequency: very high - Mike converts small advantages late
- Avg moves per win: about 79 - expect a full battle rather than a blitz mini-swarm
- Early resignation rate: around 22% - he accepts defeat cleanly sometimes, but comebacks are also frequent
- Comeback rate: excellent - Mike often bounces back after material losses
Openings & Repertoire
On both sides Mike prefers dynamic, classical systems that lead to rich middlegames. The Sicilian Closed shows up often in his games and has produced a large share of his wins. He also enjoys lines that keep imbalance alive and reward practical decision making.
- Most-played opening family: Sicilian Defense: Closed
- Other favorite choices: Modern Defense, Accelerated Dragon, French Defense
- As White he often steers games into Vienna Gambit and classical e4 structures
Rivalries & Notable Opponents
Mike has a cast of familiar foes who have traded wins and memorable blunders with him over hundreds of games. These matchups often turn into mini-series, full of psychological play and repeated novelties.
- Most-played opponent: Lennis Martinez Ramirez - 69 games and a razor-thin head-to-head
- Other frequent rivals: ladycockroach, warlordx, arminmusovic
- Signature matchup: chapeau361 - overwhelmingly positive record that Mike will happily remind you about
Memorable Game Sample
Here is a short sample opening line Mike often reaches in blitz skirmishes. Paste it into a viewer to replay or study.
Opening moves sample (Sicilian structures and typical middlegame themes):
Streaks, Tendencies & Psychology
Mike can ride hot streaks and also weather cold spells. He tilts occasionally but tends to limit damage and bounce back quickly. Morning and early afternoon play often yields his best results, while deep-night sessions can be patchy.
- Longest winning streak: 18 games
- Longest losing streak: 13 games
- Tilt factor: moderate - Mike knows when to take a short break
- Best time of day: around 08:00 according to his own superstition
Fun Facts & Placeholders
Mike mixes humor with seriousness at the board. He will trash-talk you politely, then beat you in an endgame you thought was drawn. For developers and analysts, here are a few useful placeholders to enrich an interactive profile.
- Blitz rating evolution chart -
- Peak Blitz rating quick stat - 2713 (2025-03-09)
- Profile link for a frequent opponent - Bibek Thing
- Opening term reference - Sicilian Defense: Closed
Need more? Ask for annotated games, an opening report, or a training plan tuned to Mike's blitz-first approach.