Tom Margulies (aka tmargul)
Tom started his chess journey somewhere between the roaring 2010s and the futuristic 2020s — apparently, time travel is a thing on the board! Although his blitz and rapid ratings might not make grandmasters quake in their boots (Peak Rapid: 1151 in 2016, Peak Blitz: 1018 in early 2016), don't let the numbers fool you. Tom brings dedication, a surprising comeback rate, and a knack for tricky openings that keep his opponents guessing (and sometimes resigning so fast, it feels like they ran out of coffee).
Playing Style & Stats
- Preferred Time Control: Blitz — because who doesn’t enjoy a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled brain workout?
- Longest Winning & Losing Streaks: 13 games each — a true rollercoaster master, Tom experiences the highs and lows of the chess battlefield with equal gusto.
- Early Resignation Rate: 11.56% — sometimes patience isn’t Tom's strongest virtue, but who can blame him?
- Average Moves per Game: ~44 moves, so Tom's not a quitter; he fights until the last rook falls or the opponent surrenders!
- Comeback Rate: A staggering 61.57% — Tom has a knack for pulling rabbits out of the chessboard hat when the odds are stacked against him.
- White Win Rate: 44.25% vs. Black Win Rate: 39.31% — wielding the white pieces feels just a bit luckier.
Opening Repertoire
Tom's opening choices suggest a player not afraid to experiment. His top rapid openings include:
- Kings Pawn Opening (42% win rate) — The classic “Let’s get this party started” move.
- Philidor Defense (46.5%) — Tom's secret weapon to confuse and conquer.
- Bishops Opening with variations ranging 30-45% win rate — a solid mix of chess artistry and unpredictability.
In blitz, he's fond of the Kings Pawn variations and shines brightest with the Petrovs Defense Classical Variation (over 60% win rate). Tom clearly knows when to go bold and when to keep it classical.
Recent Battles
Tom’s last few games read like a dramatic chess soap opera:
- Recently pulled off a slick win by resignation against matias180311, showcasing an aggressive Bishops Opening. Check it out: matias180311
- Also snagged a win by game abandonment against assss60050 with a tricky King’s Knight Variation—sometimes your opponents just can’t handle the heat!
- But no rose without a thorn — Tom recently got checkmated by helaly20 in a Scandinavian Defense tussle. Hey, every chess hero faces setbacks!
Fun Facts & Psychological Tidbits
- Best time of day to challenge foes: 11:00 AM — catch Tom fully caffeinated and dangerously strategic.
- Tilt factor: 13 — which means after a few unexpected losses, Tom might unleash some dramatic sighs and questionable moves before bouncing back.
- Rated vs. Casual Win Difference: 41.8% — Tom means business when the stakes are higher!
In summary, Tom Margulies is the kind of chess player who might not dominate the leaderboard, but will definitely keep you on your toes. With a mix of stubborn resilience, a dash of unpredictability, and a genuine love for the game, Tom proves that chess isn't just about ratings—it’s about passion, thrill, and sometimes, the elegant art of pulling off a comeback.
