mike

Profile Summary: Mike (a.k.a. vartolomeicristian)

Once upon a chessboard, there was Mike — a fighter, a thinker, and occasionally a blunderer. This resilient player boasts a peak blitz rating of 1367 achieved in November 2024, proving that patience and practice pay off, even if the journey is sprinkled with unexpected sacrifices and the occasional strategic “oops.”

Mike’s chess career is a rollercoaster sporting over 3,200 wins in blitz games alone, balanced precariously against nearly as many losses (3,228), and adorned with a respectable pile of draws (226). In other words, Mike never backs down — victory or defeat, it’s all part of the adventure.

Known for a swift early retirement from hopeless positions, Mike resigns 8.8% of games early — because why drag out a lost cause when there’s another battle waiting? Endgames, however, are Mike’s favorite battleground, appearing in over 54% of matches — a testament to stubborn endurance (and some crafty tactics).

Speaking of tactics, Mike’s comeback rate is an impressive 73%, showing he’s not one to throw in the towel even after losing a piece. Plus, with an average winning game clocking in at about 63 moves, Mike enjoys the long haul — the kind of player who makes opponents sweat longer than their opening repertoire.

When it comes to openings, Mike prefers the mysterious and the “Top Secret” — notably scoring above 51% win rate with his favorite "Top Secret" opening in blitz, a cheeky homage to his unpredictable style. Though many games start in the "Unknown Opening," which might just be Mike’s way of keeping opponents guessing (and scratching their heads).

Mike’s most recent victories have been fought in styles like the Modern Defense and Pirc Defense, showcasing solid strategic foundations peppered with aggressive counterattacks. One memorable win featured a dramatic time-forcing finish where Mike’s opponent ran out of seconds — proving that sometimes the clock is the fiercest opponent on the board.

Off the board, Mike is a chess enthusiast who plays best around 10 AM — so set your alarm clocks if you want a shot! And while nerves can get the best of him once in a while (a tilt factor of 16), he keeps coming back for more, inspired by the noble quest that is chess.

With a balanced record against similarly skilled opponents (52% wins) and a slightly better performance with Black pieces, Mike embraces every challenge. Whether crushing juniors or trading blows with veterans, Mike’s chess story is one of grit, grit, and a good dose of humor.

In the immortal words of Mike: "Sometimes you win by checkmate, sometimes by timeout, and sometimes by sheer stubbornness!"