Max Tewksbury

Max Tewksbury (tewks02)

Max Tewksbury, known on the digital battlefield as tewks02, is a competitor who truly embodies the rollercoaster spirit of chess — sometimes soaring to heights just shy of 1000 in Rapid ratings, and at other times bravely battling it out in the trenches of sub-700 arenas.

Chess Journey & Style

Starting strong back in 2019 with a Rapid peak rating of 994, Max has shown perseverance and resilience across all time controls. With over 750 wins in Rapid and a near-even number of losses, Max keeps the game exciting, proving that every match is a battleground where victory and defeat walk hand-in-hand.

His play style is a fascinating mix: preferring to see the endgame clock tick down with an endgame frequency of nearly 56%, and averaging about 59 moves per win—proving that patience (and maybe stubbornness) are key traits. Max is no stranger to early resignations either, at a modest 4.17%, showing he’s not afraid to cut his losses and regroup.

Tactical Tenacity

Despite some hiccups, Max refuses to back down. His comeback rate of 76.84% highlights a player who keeps fighting after setbacks, with a surprisingly solid 44.66% win rate even after losing a piece. The numbers say it clearly: surrender is only a word in Max’s dictionary, never a move on the board.

Favorite Openings & Opponents

Max’s secret weapon? An enigmatic opening cheekily named "Top Secret"—a strategy that’s been employed in over 1500 Rapid games with nearly a 49% win rate. Maybe it’s secret because Max hasn’t told us what it is, or perhaps it’s just a clever way to keep opponents guessing!

When not keeping secrets, Max has faced a variety of opponents, boasting particularly high success rates against players such as "couldbepaul," "armatabranca," and "gregoryroth," to name a few. Yet, every rival counts, especially when Max has rivalries resulting in nail-biting 50/50 win ratios.

Peak Moments & Memorable Games

Arguably, Max’s crowning achievement so far is a Daily rating peak of 1041, achieved in early 2021—proof that when he’s focused, the board bends to his will. Recent victories have come with flair, including a swift and clever checkmate against "basikE1" and a dominating win over "imsharun," showcasing Max's ability to combine strategy with opportunistic tactics.

Of course, every chess warrior endures defeats. Max’s losses, such as a recent one to "boy9644," only add to his rich tapestry of experience and growth. As any seasoned player will tell you, the best lessons come from the toughest battles.

The Human Behind the Handle

Beyond the numbers and moves, Max plays with a unique blend of determination and humor. Whether it's timing games around his best play hours (spoiler: 8 AM sharp, when the coffee kicks in) or managing a tilt factor of 9—because hey, who doesn’t get a little emotional when the queen drops—Max brings character to the chess community.

With a current winning streak resting and a longest winning streak of 10 games in his pocket, Max’s journey is still unfolding. Whether a hopeful underdog or the “Top Secret” master, every game adds new pages to the story of tewks02.

In the grand game of life and chess, Max reminds us all: sometimes you win by checkmate, sometimes you win by sheer stubbornness, and sometimes you just enjoy the ride.