David López Caudevilla CM

David López Caudevilla (DonD1997) - Candidate Master Extraordinaire

David López Caudevilla, better known in the chess realm as DonD1997, is a formidable Candidate Master who has earned his stripes (and rating points) on the global chessboard. With a peak Blitz rating soaring to an impressive 2406 in March 2025, David represents the perfect blend of speed, strategy, and a pinch of audacity.

Known for his dynamic and resilient play, David has battled through hundreds of intense Blitz games (over 1,000 just in 2025!), boasting a hearty win record of 582 wins out of more than 1,000 matches. His favorite weapons? The Modern Defense variations where he’s enjoyed win rates north of 60%, especially the Modern Defense with and Modern Defense Standard Line.

His style? Oh, it’s not for the faint-hearted. David thrives in the endgame, engaging in nearly 80% of his games deep into the late stages — proving he’s got patience and stamina like a chess marathoner. Coupled with a stellar comeback rate near 85%, giving up a piece doesn’t faze him one bit; he just digs in and fights back harder.

David’s best chess hours appear to be in the evening, especially at 7 PM when his win rate peaks around 60%. So, if you ever want to challenge him, you might want to start a bit earlier in the day—unless you’re ready for a thrilling fight.

Despite the few hiccups (a losing streak peaking at 7 games — happens to the best of us!), DonD1997 keeps his tilt factor low (7%) and his humor high. After all, chess is serious business, but a little fun never hurts.

The latest crowning moment in David’s career came on June 3, 2025, where he checkmated “bennakhman” in a beautifully orchestrated Blitz battle over 42 intense moves. Masterfully navigating the Sicilian Defense Chekhover Variation, he concluded the game with flawless precision — an inspiring reminder that DonD1997 plays not only to win but to entertain.

Off the board, David is probably plotting his next variation or quietly chuckling at his opponents' blunders. If you ever see a Twitch handle with the tag DonD1997, brace yourself: you might just witness a chess show that’s equal parts brain gymnastics and dramatic flair.

Checkmate? More like check-awesome.