Dominick Restivo - The Resilient Chess Adventurer
Dominick Restivo, known in the chess realm as drestivo, is a player whose journey through the ranks is as dynamic as his opening repertoire. Since first making a modest splash with a rapid rating around the 750 mark back in 2016, Dominick has battled through the trenches of competitive chess with a blend of persistence, occasional blunders, and surprising comebacks.
Rating Rollercoaster & Style
Currently hovering near a 625 rapid rating in 2025, Dominick's peak rapid rating was a respectable 1038 back in 2016 — showing this player knows how to rise and fall, only to rise again. His blitz and bullet ratings paint a picture of a fighter who prefers the extended battles of rapid chess but isn't afraid to sprint in faster formats, even if the bullet rating only peaks around the low 390s.
Signature Openings & Strategies
Dominick has a particular fondness for the Ponziani Opening, with over 67 rapid games, winning nearly 57% of those — not too shabby at all! He relishes the complexities of the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation, boasting his highest rapid win rate there (~65%). On the flip side, he struggles with the queen’s pawn openings, where his win rates tend to hover closer to under 35%, suggesting there's always room for a sneaky gambit or two in his playbook.
Chess Personality: The Tale of Triumph and Tilt
With a comeback rate north of 64%, Dominick is no quitter—he's the comeback kid who somehow rallies after losing a piece, winning almost 40% of those grim positions. Sure, there’s a tilt factor of about 10, which means he occasionally gets a bit salty after a loss, but who doesn’t? His best hour to make magic happen is 11 AM—experts say that’s when the coffee has kicked in and the brain is firing on all cylinders.
Recent Battles
On June 4th, 2025, Dominick showed his tactical muscles by securing a solid win in a live game finishing with a checkmate after meticulously navigating the Ponziani Opening Jaenisch Counterattack. However, like every mortal chess warrior, he’s tasted defeat too — his recent loss to ShoMinowa was by resignation, a humbling reminder that even the best stumble now and then.
Fun Facts
- Dominick’s battles are mostly fought in rapid chess — 688 wins against 661 losses with 102 draws, proving he enjoys the thrilling dance between speed and strategy.
- His longest winning streak is an impressive 10 games in a row, but be careful—his longest losing streak is the same length, making each match a thrilling ride!
- Dominick’s average game length is around 52 moves for wins, meaning he’s not rushing toward checkmate but carefully maneuvering his pieces until the last moment.
In short, Dominick Restivo is a tenacious chess player who combines strategic depth with the unpredictability of online play. Whether he’s executing his Scandinavian defense or intricately weaving through a Ponziani battle, his journey is a testament to the ups and downs that make chess as addictive as it is challenging. Here’s hoping the next moves lead to fewer resignations and more jaw-dropping comebacks!
