Tanner Crouch

Tanner Crouch (aka "pigbearmann") - Chess Journey

Tanner Crouch, better known online as pigbearmann, is a resilient and steadily improving chess player whose rating saga reads like a compelling Netflix series of ups, downs, and epic comeback arcs. Starting out with humble beginnings around a 683 rapid rating in early 2021, Tanner has battled through rating slumps as deep as the Mariana Trench, only to surface again stronger, smarter, and ready for the next challenge.

His rapid rating skyrocketed to an impressive peak of 1199 by mid-2025, showcasing his persistence and growth. While his blitz and bullet adventures have been modest (max ratings hovering just above 1000), Tanner’s true strength and focus shine in longer time controls where strategic play and careful calculation have propelled him forward.

Tanner's favorite opening weapon is shrouded in mystery under the codename "Top Secret", with nearly 1500 rapid games played, delivering a near 50% win rate. He also has a penchant for the Sicilian Defense, especially the Old Sicilian Variation and Open Sicilian, where his win rates climb up to 75% in some variations. If you ever see him springing the English Opening’s Two Knights Variation or diving into the Anglo-Scandinavian Defense, expect a well-prepared tactical encounter.

Playing Style & Personality

Tanner tends to play the endgame frequently (~59% of his games reach it) and averages around 60 moves per win, proving he’s not afraid of the grind. His resilience is legendary — an 84% comeback rate means when Tanner’s down a piece or two, giving up isn’t on the menu. Though he sometimes tilts (rating it a humble 12 out of 100 on the Tiltometer), he recovers and battles on with the spirit of a knight trapped in the center eyeing the enemy queen.

Interestingly, Tanner’s best time to unleash his chess prowess is at 6 AM — owls beware, the early bird is catching checkmates! And if you want to challenge him, Saturday seems to be his lucky day when his win rate jumps to an impressive 56.6%.

Memorable Matches

One of Tanner's most recent victories came with the Sicilian Defense (B33 variation), where he cunningly forced his opponent, "AbeTheGreat128," to resign after a persistent assault. Among his numerous games, Tanner has shown a flair for delivering beautiful checkmates, including a swift mate in an English Opening Two Knights Variation — a reminder that patience and preparation pay dividends.

Of course, every player faces setbacks and Tanner is no exception. Recent losses by resignation are valuable lessons fueling his ascent.

Overall Impression

Tanner Crouch is a chess warrior on a journey filled with tactical sharpness, strategic depth, and a dash of stubbornness. Whether grinding through 60-move endgames or emerging victorious in sharp Sicilian lines, Tanner embodies the spirit of continuous learning and passionate competition — with some laughs along the way.

Keep an eye on "pigbearmann" — the next big move might just be about to drop!