Michał Kosiński - The Chessboard Adventurer
Known in the chess world as scubadilla, Michał Kosiński is a spirited player whose journey on the 64 squares has been a rollercoaster of triumphs, losses, and plenty of tactical experiments. With a peak daily rating of 1311 achieved back in March 2021, Michał has demonstrated a knack for cracking the code of the chessboard while keeping his sense of humor intact.
The Playing Style
Michał's style can be described as a charming mix of resilience and endurance. Preferring long daily games — where patience reigns supreme — he averages about 49 moves per win, showing he enjoys the slow burn of a well-fought victory. Not deterred by setbacks, he boasts a comeback rate of almost 69%, proving that giving up is not in his repertoire (unless it’s an early resignation rate of a modest 5%).
Chess Preferences & Openness to Mystery
An explorer at heart, Michał favors the mystery of the “Unknown Opening” in daily games, winning nearly 60% of his battles there — a clear sign that he likes to keep his opponents guessing. He’s also dabbled successfully in classical lines like the Vienna Game and Pirc Defense, claiming perfect records in these less-trodden paths.
Formats & Ratings
- Daily Chess: Peak rating of 1311, with a solid winning record.
- Blitz: A rollercoaster ride, peaking at 1200 but with a more humble current average rating around the 300s, reflecting fierce battles and speedy brilliancies.
- Bullet: A fast-twitch chess ninja—his peak was a recent 376, and though the bullet arena can be brutal, he manages to keep win and loss counts balanced.
- Rapid: Coming into his own with a peak rapid rating of 516, a format that fits his strategic temperament well.
Memorable Games & Moments
In May 2025, Michał (as scubadilla) dealt a neat victory using the Vienna Game, winning on time against an opponent rated 733. A master of time management and strategic pressure! Though he’s met losses time to time—like a tough battle in June 2025 against boiin2muk where the clock was his undoing—Michał’s spirit on the board remains unshaken.
Behavior & Psychology
With a tilt factor of only 8, Michał is cool-headed under pressure. His best time to shine is at the wee hours of 4 AM — truly a dawn patrol chess warrior. He holds a slight edge when playing with white pieces (~51%) but doesn’t shy away from the challenge of being black (~46%).
Fun Facts
- Favorite Win Rate Against Opponents: Holds a flawless 100% win rate against many opponents including matb86 and fk8_tony (wait, zero wins there, so maybe just very challenging friends!).
- Enjoys long, strategic battles more than quick-fire blitz or bullet skirmishes, but when speed calls, Michał answers with determination.
- Loves to surprise opponents by playing unusual or "Top Secret" openings — because who doesn’t enjoy a bit of cloak-and-dagger on the board?
In all, Michał Kosiński is a humble, passionate chess player who embraces every game as a new adventure, armed with a mix of patience, strategy, and a dash of mystery. Whether in bullet blitz or a marathon daily game, he continues to learn, adapt, and have fun — leaving opponents wondering what’s next from the intriguing scubadilla.
