Nahuel Straini (aka DuendeRC)
Meet Nahuel Straini, a chess player whose rating climbs have resembled a thrilling rollercoaster—full of sharp turns, bursts of glory, and the occasional stomach-dropping plunge. Known on the online battlefield as DuendeRC, Nahuel has been battling with pieces since at least 2016, steadily sharpening skills and collecting victories that would make a grandmaster nod in approval (or at least smirk).
Rating Journey & Strengths
From humble beginnings in 2016 with bullet ratings around 1300-1700, Nahuel soared to an impressive peak bullet rating of 2241 in early 2023. Not to be outdone, his blitz prowess peaked even higher at 2363 in late 2017, and his rapid rating hit a solid 2066 in 2020. A player who thrives in the fast-paced adrenaline rush of bullet and blitz games, Nahuel’s gameplay style blends tactical sharpness with an uncanny ability to bounce back from setbacks, boasting a remarkable 79.5% comeback rate.
Opening Repertoire and Playing Style
Nahuel has a favorite dance with the chess openings — particularly the London System and the Indian Game. With an effective win rate hovering around 53-58% in these, he strategically builds strong positions with subtle pressure. He’s also a regular in Caro-Kann defenses, proving versatile enough to handle a range of opponent's gambits while keeping cool. His playing style isn’t just about sharp attacks; he averages over 71 moves per win, showing patience and endurance alongside his keen tactical mind.
Psychological Warfare & Quirks
Nahuel’s “Tilt Factor” is a modest 12, indicating he keeps his cool more often than not — a rare quality in the rollercoaster world of competitive chess. Interestingly, his best hour of play is around 7 AM, which means he’s either an early bird or a sleep-deprived night owl who found the caffeine button. Also, his games are peppered with early resignations from both sides (about 1.8%), suggesting he knows when to fight and when to preserve energy for the next encounter.
Memorable Recent Battles
In his most recent victorious duel — a 2025 tournament game against Sol8r — Nahuel demonstrated masterful control over the Caro-Kann Defense, forcing resignation after a patient and precise battle. On the flip side, his most recent setback was a tough loss in 2024 due to checkmate against econophil, reminding us that even the best have to respect the unpredictability of the 64 squares.
Fun Facts
- Known for launching spectacular comebacks — because quitting is for pawns, not knights.
- Plays his best games early in the morning, possibly fueled by sheer stubbornness and coffee.
- Has endured a longest winning streak of 15 games — a streak worthy of a standing ovation (or at least a chess emoji).
- Scored over 6000 wins in bullet and blitz combined, making the pieces wary every time Nahuel is online.
Nahuel Straini's journey on the chessboard is a testament to resilience, strategy, and a dash of that mysterious “Duende” spirit—an artistic passion that drives him to craft beautiful games, one move at a time.
