Marco Santomassimo - aka saintmax96
Meet Marco Santomassimo, a chess player whose journey is as colorful as his username suggests! Known online as saintmax96, Marco has battled countless opponents across rapid, daily, and bullet games, showcasing a mix of grit, occasional missteps, and moments of brilliance.
Rating Rollercoaster
Marco’s peak rapid rating hit a modest 653 back in May 2021, while his daily chess prowess soared to an impressive 1217 as of May 2025. Bullet chess? Let’s just say it’s a work in progress, with a peak around 168. His journey is a thrilling ride through wins, losses, and draws, with an enduring passion for the game.
Playing Style & Personality
With a win rate hovering around 41% playing with white and nearly 40% with black, Marco balances cautious openings and daring tactics. But don't be fooled: his early resignation rate of 15% might suggest a man who knows when to cut his losses (or sometimes just succumbs to the pressure of the ticking clock).
His average game length tips towards the long side for wins (~49 moves), hinting at persistence in endgames, where he stays engaged about 41% of his games. His psychological resilience shines with a comeback rate over 63%, proving he’s no stranger to turning the tide after losing material.
Favored Openings
Marco enjoys the classical feel of the King's Pawn Opening, having played it over 280 times in rapid games. Vienna Game Anderssen Defense seems to be a lucky charm with a 50% win rate, while some adventurous attempts at the Englund Gambit and Scandinavian Defense have had mixed results (sometimes thrilling, sometimes... not so much).
Epic Streaks & Fierce Battles
Though he's suffered a gnarly 25-game losing streak at one point (ouch!), Marco also enjoyed sweet moments like a 7-game winning streak that surely boosted his confidence. Currently, he’s riding a small dip in luck but with a track record that proves resilience.
Notable Games
Recently, saintmax96 dazzled with aggressive Queen maneuvers against cremator1a, snatching a win by time—a classic blend of strategy and time management! Against jjjjer4 and alainbeir, he concluded games with slick checkmates that would make any grandmaster nod in approval. But like everyone, some losses (e.g., to RaulGdP) remind him there’s always room to grow.
When to Challenge Marco?
Pro tip: Try your luck around 4 AM, Marco’s statistically best time of day to play, when his win chances peak at 75%. Also, Friday night battles around 20:00 showcase his sharpest play with over 52% wins—so bring your A-game!
Final Thoughts
Marco Santomassimo’s chess profile is proof that passion outweighs perfection. Whether he's launching daring gambits or patiently crafting endgames, he's a player who embraces both the joys and trials of the 64 squares. If you see saintmax96 on the board, be prepared for an entertaining duel that’s never boring.
Quick Stats:
- Rapid: 405 wins / 545 losses / 42 draws
- Daily: 2 wins / 0 losses
- Bullet: 0 wins / 3 losses
- Longest Winning Streak: 7 games
- Longest Losing Streak: 25 games