Philip Soo

Philip Soo: The Relentless Gambler of the Chessboard

Meet Philip Soo, known on the virtual battlefield as philipsoo, a chess player who dances gracefully on the edge of brilliance and chaos. With a peak rapid rating soaring up to 938 in May 2025 and a bullet rating that has skyrocketed as high as 1054, Philip's chess journey is a wild roller coaster where every piece tells a story.

The Style

Philip is not your average conqueror; he’s a magician of long fights and epic endgames, boasting an impressive 79.45% endgame frequency. Average game length? A whopping 57 moves when winning and an exhausting 76 moves on losses, proving he battles fiercely until the final tick of the clock.

Known for fastest surrenders, Philip’s 75% early resignation rate might signal a pragmatic streak—or just a healthy respect for brutal defeats. His comebacks are legendary, snatching victory 83% of the time after falling behind, though the ol’ queen or rook may sometimes sneak off unprotected, resulting in some one-sided losses.

Opening Repertoire: Brave, Bold, and Sometimes Questionable

• Rapid games feature bold choices like the English Opening (Four Knights Korchnoi Line) and the French Defense Advance Paulsen Attack, though wins there remain elusive.
• Bullet battles showcase a love-hate relationship with the Caro Kann and Queens Gambit Declined, with occasional sparks of success in the Van't Kruijs Opening and Queens Pawn Opening.
• Blitz reveals perseverance, though the Sicilian Defense Smith Morra Gambit minus the “gambit” part has been rough—holding a mere 4% win rate after 73 games.

Stats & Streaks: A True Fighter

Throughout thousands of battles, Philip’s overall record is peppered with more losses than wins, but that hasn’t stopped the fighter spirit. His longest winning streak is an admirable 5 games, but the longest losing streak impressively tops 53—because every warrior faces setbacks.

Victories & Defeats: Tales from the 64 Squares

Philip’s most recent triumph came in style against lizivanovchess with a captivating Scandinavian Defense, culminating in a win on time after a grueling 41-move battle. Conversely, Chess960 brought a harsh checkmate defeat at the hands of LileKoridze, proving that even the best have their quirky off-days.

Playing Times & Psychological Quirks

If you want to catch Philip at his best, set your alarm for 6:00 AM—his prime time boasting a staggering 50% win rate at that hour. Sadly, afternoons and early evenings are less forgiving, with win percentages dipping below 10%. His tilt factor at 53 signals a player who feels the emotional sting when things go awry but rises like a phoenix for the next match.

A Chess Hero for the Candid and the Courageous

Philip Soo embodies the spirit of chess as an epic struggle rather than just a numbers game. With a persistence that defies his scores and a penchant for long, draining fights, he’s a testament that in chess, as in life, it’s not always about winning gracefully but refusing to give up —even if it means losing spectacularly.

Whether you’re facing him online or spectating, expect a rollercoaster ride of strategic gambles, nerve-wracking comebacks, and a whole lot of heart.