Tom Pacelle (topac1712)
Meet Tom Pacelle, a resilient chess warrior whose journey through the 64 squares is a tale of gritty determination, strategic experimentation, and a dash of humor. Known in the chess world as topac1712, Tom has navigated the ups and downs of blitz, bullet, rapid, and daily chess games with impressive versatility.
Playing Style & Strengths
Tom’s style is a curious mix of patience and tenacity—with an average of about 59 moves per win, it's clear he's not one to give up early. His approach includes a hefty dose of endgame battles (happening in over 57% of his games) and a surprisingly low early resignation rate of just 1.65%. If the tides turn against him, don't count Tom out: his comeback rate is a commendable 79.32%, proving he’s as tricky as a chess ninja when the odds stack up.
Playing White? Tom holds a slight edge with a 50.3% win rate, and while playing Black, he keeps it competitive with nearly 49% wins. He’s no stranger to both precision and grit, balancing tactical awareness with psychological resilience—although a tilt factor of 12 suggests he might occasionally grumble at the board (who doesn’t?).
Opening Preferences
Ah, Sicilian Defense—the spicy staple of Tom’s blitz and bullet repertoire. He’s danced through various Sicilian flavors, from the Old Sicilian Variation (winning roughly 53% of games) to the Bowdler Attack and the Alapin Sicilian, mixing it up with other openings like the Caro Kann and Giuoco Piano to keep opponents guessing. In daily chess, Tom shows a predilection for solid, classical openings like the Italian Variation of the Four Knights Game and the Alapin Sicilian with outstanding win rates, making him a threat at both speed and strategy.
Ratings & Performance
Tom has gradually climbed the rating ladder since 2016, peaking in blitz at an impressive 1497 in mid-2017 and recently showcasing a strong daily chess rating of 1431 in early 2025. His rapid play wasn’t far behind, reaching a peak of 1477 just recently in 2024. Bullet ratings swing but reveal Tom’s speed-chess mettle, peaking at 1249. Simply put, whether it’s a fast bullet match or a leisurely daily game, Tom packs a punch.
Notable Moments
For a player who has endured swings and streaks (including a longest winning streak of 14 games and a daunting 12-game losing dive), Tom still manages to chalk up victories against fierce opponents and hold his ground across all formats. His games frequently end by resignation—both for and against him—showcasing the tense battles fought on every board.
His latest notable triumph? A resignation victory in a Sicilian Defense Open Lowenthal Variation, outmaneuvering his opponent with classic tactical flair. And in a recent tactical twist, he clinched a win on time, proving patience and clock management are part of his complex skillset.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- Tom’s best time of day to play? Sharp as a knight’s fork at 9 AM.
- His favorite win day? Friday—because weekends start with a chess win, obviously.
- Be warned: Tom’s losses against higher-rated opponents are more frequent, but facing lesser-rated players? He’s a force with nearly 64% wins—humble humility or merciless efficiency? You decide.
- Opponents beware: Tom has a friendly (yet feisty) rivalry with usernames like elmerseason and cagnusmartian.
Summary
Tom Pacelle is a chess player who continues to evolve with every game played, embodying the spirit of learning, persistence, and a hint of competitive mischief. Whether grinding out a long daily game or racing in bullet blitz, he mixes strategic depth with fighting spirit. Remember the name topac1712, because on any given day, Tom might just checkmate you with a smile (or a little grumble).
