Tom Polgar-Shutzman NM

Tom Polgar-Shutzman: The National Master with a Tactical Flair

Known in the chess world by the username TomPolgar, Tom Polgar-Shutzman is a formidable National Master who has battled through the ranks with a mix of grit, brains, and a surprisingly good sense of humor—because who said crushing your opponent can't be fun?

Tom's journey through chess has seen an impressive rise in ratings across all time controls. Their peak bullet rating of 2473 (January 2021) marks them as a speed demon of the 1-minute game, while their rapid peak touched a solid 2347. Blitz? Oh yes, a peak of 2373 is nothing to sneeze at either. Clearly, Tom thrives when the clock ticks fast and the pressure mounts.

Playing Style & Performance

Tom’s style is characterized by an unyielding endurance, with an endgame frequency nearing 90%, proving they are not just about flashy openings but also grinding down their opponents when the heat is on. The average moves per win hover around 83, showing patience and precision, while the slightly higher moves per loss imply Tom is never one to quit early—except their early resignation rate is a humble 0.24, because hey, sometimes you know when to fold 'em.

White pieces bring more luck, with a solid win rate of 54.3%, but Black games are no picnic for opponents either, holding a respectable near 48% win rate. The ability to come back shines through in Tom’s 87% comeback rate after a setback, revealing a resilient spirit that refuses to be checkmated emotionally.

Records & Rivalries

Across nearly 900 bullet games in the unique "Top Secret" opening variation, Tom boasts a winning percentage just over 51%, proving mastery in mystery. Blitz and rapid win rates hang steady above 40-50%, balancing solid skill and the occasional blunder.

Among friends and foes, Tom has some notable nemeses and fans. Some opponents like 'rakesh' remain a challenge (0% win rate there—ouch!), while others such as 'merdenoms943' and 'sparklechess' have been thoroughly schooled with perfect 100% win rates. The diversity of results paints a picture of a player who knows how to adapt, but sometimes just eats a humble pie.

Noteworthy Victories

One recent shining moment was a triumphant victory by checkmate in a Sicilian Defense match (see here). Tom was playing white, weaving a tactical nightmare leaving their opponent no option but to concede.

Off the Board

Psychologically, Tom keeps tilt to a manageable 7%, which is roughly the same level of frustration as losing your keys... or your rook, in important moments. The best time to catch Tom in top form? Early morning around 8 AM when the brain cells are freshest and the coffee probably kicks in.

Beyond the numbers and ratings, Tom Polgar-Shutzman is a player who blends a love of the game with a competitive edge, a dash of resilience, and a mound of curiosity. Be it bullet or rapid, Tom’s chessboard adventures continue to remind all adversaries that losing to Tom might sting, but the experience is never dull.