Simon Glöckl - The Tactical Maestro (aka siglo563)
Simon Glöckl, known to the chess world by the formidable username siglo563, is a player whose journey through the 64 squares is as dynamic as his shooting star-like rating climbs. With a peak blitz rating of 2251 and a rapid rating soaring up to 2250, Simon is not exactly your friendly neighborhood chess player – unless you consider beating opponents at lightning speed friendly!
Starting modestly around 1800 in bullet but bursting through the 2100 barrier by the end of 2021, Simon has shown a mix of rapid-fire aggression and soothing calm in his playing style. His bullet results tell a story of resilience: a comeback rate over 81% and a hearty willingness to battle back even after losing a piece, demonstrating that he’s no pushover and definitely not someone who resigns early (his early resignation rate is a respectable 4.4%). That tenacity makes him a formidable foe whether the clock is ticking down or the bullets are literally flying.
Whether it's the rapid or blitz format, Simon keeps his cool, with near-equal win rates as White (51.39%) and Black (50.9%). His average game length hovers around 70 moves per win—great stamina for a player who often wears down opponents before delivering the knockout punch. He's especially strong in endgames, engaging in them over 76% of the time. Clearly, Simon likes to work his magic where pawns become queens, and tension is a constant companion.
Simon’s opening repertoire shows diversity masked in mystery, most often employing “Unknown Openings” with solid results. Yet, intriguingly, his recent greatest triumph involved the rarely-seen Alekhine’s Defense – Modern Larsen Variation, a signature that hints at a player who enjoys surprising his rivals with bold, offbeat choices. His recent win by resignation in a tense battle against BloodSweatVinyl illustrates not only his prowess but also his ability to outmaneuver opponents into submission.
Off the board, Simon’s psychological resilience stands out. Despite a tilt factor of 15 (we all get a little salty sometimes!), he plays some of his best games at 8 a.m., proving that his brain might just wake up faster than most. While his time management could use some polish (with occasional losses by timeout), his sheer volume of games – over 300 blitz games in some recent months – shows dedication and a hunger to learn and improve constantly.
As for notable quirks, Simon is a bit of a night owl until 4 a.m. (though his win rate at 4 a.m. is sadly 0%), but shines bright during typical daylight hours when his win rates exceed 50%. Plus, his extensive winning streak of up to 39 games at one point is a testament to his competitive spirit (though his longest losing streak is a humble 15 games – a humble nod to the cruel mistress, chess).
In a nutshell, Simon Glöckl is a passionate chess competitor mixing solid fundamentals, tactical fireworks, and a sprinkle of unpredictability to keep his foes on their toes. If you dare take up the gauntlet against siglo563, be prepared for a rollercoaster ride of strategy, grit, and the occasional unexpected gambit!
Follow Simon’s latest adventures on Chess.com