Ivan Valles Moreno: The Cabal of the 64 Squares
Ivan Valles Moreno, known online as cabalista, is a Spanish International Master whose online chess life reads like a long and beautiful obsession. Under the username cabalista, he has played tens of thousands of games, with his blitz rating soaring to 2748 (2026-02-05) at its peak. While his preferred time control appears to be bullet, his real kingdom is blitz, where he has built one of the most impressive online rating curves around.
From Young Grinder to International Master
Earning the International Master title from FIDE requires deep opening knowledge, tactical sharpness, and nerves of steel. Valles Moreno has all three in abundance. His online career began with heavy 1.e4 play, then evolved into a more positional 1.d4 and 1.Nf3 repertoire, showing a player who never stopped learning. Along the way he developed a special relationship with the King's Indian Defense, using it with great success on both sides of the board.
His blitz graph is a story of persistence. From the mid 2200s in 2014, he climbed steadily through the 2400s and eventually touched the 2700s in 2026. He also holds a bullet peak of 2150 and a rapid peak of 2319, but his volume of blitz games is staggering.
Opening Laboratory
What makes cabalista dangerous is his enormous opening repertoire. As White, he has scored heavily against the Caro-Kann Defense, and he regularly punishes opponents with the Sozin Attack against the Sicilian Defense. As Black, he often steers games into sharp tactical waters with the King's Indian and Modern setups. His win rate by opening is a testament to his flexibility and his willingness to fight in nearly any structure.
Rivalries and Marathon Battles
No online player becomes a legend without rivals. Valles Moreno has faced certain opponents dozens, sometimes more than a hundred times. His most frequent dance partner is dabee, with 156 meetings, a rivalry that has swung back and forth. Against Rogelio Jr Antonio he has battled 114 times, while other regulars include tac49, parsifala, and goran_galiot. These marathon series give his profile a social, competitive energy that pure solvers lack.
- 156 games against dabee, a near 50/50 slugfest.
- 114 games against gmjoey1, where he learned to handle tough losses.
- 92 games against tac49, often a testing ground for new ideas.
A Tactical Machine With a Human Heart
The stats reveal a player who fights until the end. He wins after losing a piece more than half the time, and his comeback rate is 87 percent. His average decisive games last around 70 moves, which shows he does not abandon positions early. His best winning hours are late at night, especially around 3 a.m., making him a true night owl of the chessboard. He has also survived losing streaks and returned stronger, proof that resilience is part of his game.
The Legacy of cabalista
Ivan Valles Moreno may hold the formal title of International Master, but his online presence is that of a tireless competitor. With more than 33,000 analyzed games, a peak blitz rating of 2748 (2026-02-05), and a style that punishes hesitation, cabalista has become a familiar and respected name in the online chess world. Whether he is grinding at 3 a.m. or testing a new line in the King's Indian, he represents the beautiful chaos of chess played for love.