Marcell Szabo NM

Marcell Szabo - National Master, aka RestartingChess

Meet Marcell Szabo, a chess virtuoso who earned the prestigious title of National Master from National – because simply being good at chess wasn't enough, right? Known online as RestartingChess, Marcell is a force to be reckoned with on the virtual chess battlegrounds.

With a peak Bullet rating of an astonishing 2897 achieved in November 2020, Marcell has blitzed through opponents with a speed and precision that would make any Grandmaster raise an eyebrow. If chess were a video game, Marcell is definitely playing at "insane" difficulty mode. His blitz skills are no joke either, reaching a top rating of 2693 in early 2023, showcasing a rapid-fire tactical prowess that blends raw intuition with deep calculation.

You might say Marcell's style is a beautiful contradiction: his games can last long – an average of 86 moves per victory or loss in Bullet – proving endurance is just as critical as lightning-fast tactics. He loves endgames (appearing in over 84% of his matches), fighting till the last pawn, and his comeback rate is an incredible 85.81%. In other words, don’t count him out just because he lost a piece; he's got tricks up his sleeve and usually turns the tables!

Marcell is also the master of subtle psychological warfare, maintaining a tilt factor of only 16 (some say that’s practically zen for bullet chess). His best time of day to strike? Early afternoon, around 1 PM, when his mind is sharpest and his queen is hungriest.

Opening repertoire

While many players stick to well-trodden paths, Marcell embraces mystery with a vast collection of openings. His favorite is the Unknown Opening—because why give your opponent a clue? He also excels with specialized lines like the Caro Kann Defense Panov Modern Mieses Line and Owens Defense in Bullet, boasting win rates as high as 66.67% and even 100% in limited plays respectively. When facing a game clock, his creativity refuses to clock out.

Match Highlights

In a recent game in June 2025, Marcell outwitted a 2622-rated opponent with Black, in a thrilling encounter rooted in the Caro-Kann Defense Advance Botvinnik Carls Defense. The match ended with an impressive time win, proving that sometimes being the quickest brain beats being just the sharpest.

And yes, even the best have their off days! Marcell’s latest losses were fiercely contested battles against high-rated opponents, reminding everyone that chess is eternal warfare—full of ups, downs, and the occasional humbling moment.

The Stats Geek’s Corner

• Total bullet games played: Over 11,200, with nearly an equal split of wins and losses - chess drama at its finest.
• Longest winning streak: 19 games – talk about a tilt-proof machine!
• Average winning rate: Slightly under 47% across bullet and blitz, but every game is a spectacle.
• Preferred play times: Marcell wins most often in mid-afternoon, with peak sharpness around 1 PM and a knack for playing under pressure late at night.

In sum, Marcell Szabo is not just a chess player; he's a chess adventure. Whether bulldozing through bullet rounds or patiently nursing long endgames, he epitomizes passion, skill, and the never-ending quest for that checkmate. So next time you see RestartingChess online, get ready: the game is about to get very, very serious... or at least very, very entertaining.