Derek Krause: A Tenacious Chess Enthusiast
Meet Derek Krause, known online as pleasemp_yes, a daily battlefield warrior who tackles chess challenges with a blend of courage, curiosity, and just a sprinkle of chaos. Derek’s chess journey reads like a thrilling novel with dramatic ups and downs — from a peak daily rating high of 669 in March 2023, to humbling yet character-building lows around the 340s, only to bravely climb back up to an impressive 578 by mid-2025.
While his battles span all speeds—from bullet blinks to marathon daily duels—Derek truly shines in longer games, savoring complex endgames and averaging over 35 moves per win. His tenacity is remarkable, boasting a comeback rate exceeding 64%, proving he’s never out until the queen says so.
Derek’s opening repertoire could be described as delightfully eclectic: he has **top-secret** lines that keep opponents guessing, but he enjoys familiar favorites like the King’s Pawn Opening, the Caro Kann Defense, and the elusive Van Geet Opening (Reversed Nimzowitsch Variation), where he sports an undefeated 100% win rate in daily play. Apparently, some openings are just Derek’s lucky charm!
His battles aren’t all rosy, though; Derek’s longest losing streak stretches an epic 11 games, but like a phoenix with a chessboard, he never stays down for long. When it comes to psychological warfare, he keeps tilt at a respectable 11%, and prefers to strike at dawn—well, around 9 AM according to his peak playing times.
Derek’s style is daring—he’s not afraid to resign early some 14% of the time (we all have those days), but wins with a solid mix of patience and persistence against opponents both stronger and weaker. With a 33.7% win rate playing white and 32.35% playing black, Derek is the kind of opponent who will keep you guessing and breathe new life into every game.
Recent Highlights
-
A glorious victory against Danks4playing in May 2025 featuring a stunning queen sacrifice with Qxf7+—talk about going bold or going home!
(Game Link)
-
Not every game ends in triumph, of course — a recent loss by checkmate to DannyKing123 reminds Derek that chess is a humbling mistress who rewards the resilient.
(Game Link)
Whether you're looking for a sharp tactician, a brave strategist, or just someone who knows how to keep chess entertaining no matter the result, Derek Krause is a name worth remembering. Keep an eye on this relentless player who proves every day that in chess, as in life, the game is never truly over until the final move.
