Danny Johann Castro Guirao

Danny Johann Castro Guirao: The Rapid Strategist with a Dash of Humor

Meet DannyJohann, a chess player whose journey resembles a rollercoaster through the wild world of Rapid chess. With a peak rating of 1350 in Rapid (achieved in March 2022), Danny's chess career is a tale of grit, resilience, and a spicy mix of wins and losses that even the most dramatic soap opera would envy.

The Persistence of a Fighter

Danny is no stranger to the ups and downs of chess life. His Rapid record boasts 148 wins, 189 losses, and 29 draws, making it clear that every defeat is just a setup for the next glorious comeback. With a comeback rate of nearly 77%, he’s the kind of player who doesn’t just bow out gracefully but storms back onto the board like a chess ninja.

Opening Moves & Signature Plays

Favoring the King's Pawn Opening and its myriad variations, Danny shows both love and occasional friendly rivalry with this classic. His King's Pawn Opening win rate is a solid 50%, proving he’s comfortable dancing the ancient dance of e4. On the flip side, Danny has ventured bravely into openings like the Van t Kruijs Opening and the Nimzowitsch Defense, sometimes winning, sometimes learning—which is chess talk for “losing spectacularly.”
Notably, his queen’s pawn repertoire includes the Zukertort Chigorin Variation with a neat 50% win rate, showing he’s not afraid to mix things up and keep opponents guessing.

Speed & Style: From Bullet to Daily

While Rapid is Danny’s preferred battlefield, he’s dipped his toes into all time controls. His Daily chess peak rating is a respectable 995, hinting that slow and steady often wins the race (or at least the coffee break). Bullet and Blitz formats see Danny juggling excitement and chaos with a bullet peak of 432 and blitz peak of 615—proof that he can race through the board when needed, even if the occasional blunder sneaks in.

When Does Danny Play Best?

According to some very scientific analysis (and/or caffeine levels), Danny’s best time to play is around 1 PM. In fact, he boasts a 100% win rate during the 13:00 hour! (Take that, Mondays!) His firing range is impressive across days, with Thursdays shining brightest at a roughly 51% win rate. Saturdays and Wednesdays are also charming stages for his chess theatrics.

Game Length & Tactical Insight

Danny’s games tend to be moderately long affairs, averaging nearly 55 moves when winning, and slightly longer when losing. He’s not a quitter: with an average first capture move around the 7th turn, he prefers letting the tension build up, keeping opponents on their toes. His early resignation rate is comparatively low (under 6%), indicating a tenacious spirit who battles on until the final move.

Highlight Reel: Recent Win

In a memorable game on June 6, 2025, DannyJohann showcased his tactical savvy by defeating teyr41 via resignation. This Rapid showdown saw a fiery battle featuring the King's Pawn Opening - Leonardis Variation, with Danny calmly outmaneuvering the opponent and finishing the game by resignation after a sharp tactical squeeze.
Last Position: 3r3r/6bp/1k1p4/2p1p1P1/P1P3pn/1P2B3/4K3/8 b - - 1 35
A showcase of patience and precision!

Chess Personality & Quirks

If chess were a soap opera, Danny’s streaks would be the plot twists. He’s endured a daunting longest losing streak of 13 games—probably the chess equivalent of spilling coffee on your brand new opening book—but bounced back quickly to keep the current winning streak alive. His psychological tilt factor scores a cheeky 13, which means he sometimes gets a tad flustered, but what great hero doesn’t have their quirks?

The Opponent Whisperer

Danny has faced a wide range of opponents, with varied success rates. Some adversaries like teyr41, islambekaaaa, and lebsack have found no match against his strategies, as he's undefeated against them. On the other hand, players like adarena2007 and masterxshoji have managed to crack his defense, proving that every challenger keeps Danny’s chess spirit vibrant.

In all, Danny is a passionate and perseverant player who combines a solid knowledge of classical openings with a willingness to experiment, learn, and most importantly, have fun. Whether facing a bullet or a long daily grind, DannyJohann brings vigor and a touch of unpredictability, reminding us all that chess is as much about the journey as the destination.