Andrew Roydhouse

Andrew Roydhouse (driod627) - The Chess.com Cunning Conqueror

Andrew Roydhouse, better known in the virtual chess world as driod627, is a player who blends gritty determination with a splash of unpredictability. Starting with a modest Rapid rating of just over 400 in early 2024, Andrew has fought tooth and nail up to a peak Rapid rating of 835 by February 2025 – a trajectory that any chess enthusiast would admire. His Daily chess prowess shines even brighter, having reached a peak rating beyond 1000, proving that slow and steady (and maybe a bit sneaky) really does win the race.

Playing Style & Strengths

A fan of complex and rich positions, Andrew has a healthy obsession with opening theory – especially the mysterious "Top Secret" opening that he’s played over 1460 times in Rapid games. It’s so secret that even AI struggles to decode it fully! His approach tends to be balanced: he doesn’t shy away from resigning early when the chips are down (early resignation rate of just 3.14%), but he also thoroughly enjoys the drama of long, strategic endgames (ending over 60% of games this way). Opponents beware: Andrew's comeback rate is an impressive 66.7%, so don’t count him out just because you’ve snagged a piece.

Notable Stats & Trends

• Longest Win Streak: 9 games – proof that when he’s on fire, he’s a blazing inferno.
• Longest Losing Streak: Also 9 games – reminding us that even the strongest gladiators hit a rough patch now and then.
• Time of Day to Catch Him at His Best: The mornings at 9 AM, when his brain is freshest and chess tactics are sharpest.
• Win Rates: Nearly 48% when playing White, and just above 45% when playing Black – pretty balanced for a relentless attacker.

Memorable Moments

One of Andrew’s most recent triumphs was a thrilling victory with the black pieces in a Petrovs Defense: Three-Knights Game on June 4th, 2025, where he masterfully forced his opponent to resign early. His games often finish by resignation – he knows how to apply pressure until the other player throws in the towel. However, on the flip side, a brutal checkmate by urifo_1 just minutes later served as a humble reminder that chess is 99% preparation and 1% avoiding the unexpected.

Opening Love

While his "Top Secret" is shrouded in mystery, Andrew also enjoys an array of classical openings including the Three Knights Opening, French Defense Knight Variation, and the ever-tricky Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation. In Blitz games, he spices things up with aggressive defenses like the Petrov's Defense and Philidor Defense. His versatility ensures opponents can never be quite sure what opening gambit they’ll face next.

A Word of Warning for Opponents

Andrew's impressive opponent records show he’s unbeatable (100% win rate) against many players, but there are some nemeses like sirchunk and bening7 who have kept his win rate stubbornly at zero. They say every hero needs a villain, right? Besides, it’s just fuel for Andrew to study harder and come back stronger.

Fun Fact

Despite his serious stats, Andrew’s "Tilt Factor" of 9 means he’s still human and can get a little sideways after tough losses – so if you're playing him late at night or when he’s feeling tired, you might have a better chance. Just don’t count on it forever!

In short, Andrew Roydhouse is a formidable online competitor with a flair for long strategic battles, a secret opening weapon, and a personality that makes following his games both a challenge and a joy. Keep an eye on driod627 – chess fans and opponents alike!