Liam Kean

Liam Kean (tonyvai) – The Relentless Chess Warrior

Meet Liam Kean, better known by his online moniker tonyvai, a chess enthusiast who has been dancing with the sixty-four squares since at least 2018. Though he may not yet grace the halls of Grandmasters, Liam’s persistence, tactical flair, and occasional flair for drama have earned him a special place in the hearts of chess aficionados everywhere.

Rating and Style

Liam’s peak rapid rating soared to a respectable 1167 in mid-2023, while his blitz and bullet ratings have flirted with the 1000 mark and above. The steady climb in ratings tells a story of a player who refuses to give up, even when the clock ticks down to its last seconds.

With an average game length of around 61 moves, Liam clearly enjoys the extended intellectual ballet, showing a penchant for both solid opening theory and gritty endgame battles. He boasts a particularly strong win rate using the Queen's Pawn Opening – Accelerated London System and the King's Pawn Opening – King's Knight Variation, striking a nice balance between classic strategies and dynamic play.

Playing Personality

Known for an amazing 79.28% comeback rate, Liam’s resilience in the face of adversity is worthy of a Hollywood script. Losing a piece? No problem, he manages to snatch victory nearly half the time afterward. That’s a player who simply refuses to go down without a fight.

Speaking of fights, Liam's longest winning streak clocks in at a mighty 9 consecutive wins, a streak fueled by both skill and perhaps a little luck. Conversely, he’s experienced a 15-game losing streak that probably tested his sanity—but hey, even chess warriors have rough patches.

Favorite Time to Play

If you ever want to catch Liam at his absolute peak, set your alarm for 8:00 AM. That’s when his psychological edge is sharpest, and his moves most inspired. But be warned: playing Liam after 8 PM might find him a bit more unpredictable—and possibly inclined to tilt, with a modest 15 tilt factor.

Signature Moment

One of Liam’s recent victories unfolded in a swift and crafty display against “afxvi” in February 2025. Demonstrating exemplary technique in the Vienna Game, he sealed the deal on time pressure—a true testament to his patience and speed under fire. The final move came as a sweet checkmate, executed with the grace of a grandmaster and the timing of a ninja.

Statistics Snapshot

• Total Wins (Rapid): 967
• Total Wins (Blitz): 1850
• Total Wins (Bullet): 1402
• White Pieces Win Rate: 52.11%
• Black Pieces Win Rate: 46.33%
• Early Resignation Rate: A modest 2.21%—because Liam hates giving up!

Fun Fact

Liam enjoys adopting the role of the underdog, beating higher-rated opponents almost 73% of the time when going against someone of similar or higher skill. With that kind of hunger and determination, watch out—he might just be your next toughest opponent.

So if you encounter tonyvai online, prepare for long games, clever tactics, and a player who’ll outlast you in the mental marathon. Liam Kean might not be the loudest grandmaster in the room, but he’s certainly one of the most persistent!