Aaron McDonald

Aaron McDonald - aka Sorenkeikergaard

Meet Aaron McDonald, a resilient rapid chess warrior with a rating rollercoaster that would make even the bravest rollercoaster riders dizzy. Known online as Sorenkeikergaard, Aaron has danced with both victory and defeat over thousands of rapid games, logging 875 wins, 869 losses, and 59 draws — proving that in chess, as in life, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.

Aaron’s peak rapid rating soared to a respectable 684 back in March 2023, a testament to his steady climb from humble beginnings at a 329 rating in late 2021. While his daily chess adventures are fewer, he once hit a peak of 609, showing he’s versatile across time controls, even if daily formats seem slightly less his jam (currently 0 wins and 1 loss).

Playing Style & Strengths

A strategic player who doesn’t shy away from the complexities of the middle and endgame — with nearly half (47.89%) of his games reaching into the endgame realm — Aaron has an average game length of about 55 moves when winning, suggesting he favors grinding out the win rather than quick tactical blasts. Early resignation is rare for him (around 6%), so he fights tenaciously, even when the odds are against him.

Perhaps Aaron’s most impressive attribute is his comeback rate of 61.26%, showing his unstoppable fighting spirit whenever down material or position. Although winning after losing a piece happens just 40.18% of the time, his tenacity clearly makes opponents sweat.

Opening Repertoire - A Mixed Bag of Classics and Eccentricities

Aaron likes to keep his opponents guessing. Some favorites include:

• Queen's Pawn Opening Zukertort Chigorin Variation – His playground for 200 games, with a decent 52.5% win rate.
• Owens Defense – Less kind to opponents, though Aaron’s personal score here is a humbling 40.34%.
• Englund Gambit – Surprisingly a strong point with a 60.98% win rate, proving Aaron likes occasionally stirring the pot.
• Reti Opening Queenside Fianchetto Variation – A tricky beast, but Aaron struggles here with just a 32.2% win rate, perhaps a future project!

Memorable Moments

Proudly wielding the black pieces, Aaron recently secured a thrilling checkmate victory in a live chess battle on June 2, 2025, against "PeteHC," demonstrating tactical sharpness and determination until the final move. This win caps off his natural flair for pulling off epic finishes.

The Mind Behind the Moves

Aaron’s psychological resilience is notable, with a low tilt factor of 9. He’s best at playing around 4 PM, where his win rate peaks—suggesting afternoons are prime time for his chess brain to fire on all cylinders.

If you ever challenge Aaron online, prepare for a battle that’s more marathon than sprint, full of unexpected gambits, spirited comebacks, and a touch of poetic chaos. With a statistics record that’s as colorful as his username, Aaron McDonald is proof that chess is not just a game of kings and queens, but also a saga of perseverance, learning, and a dash of mad creativity.