Alvaro Cabezas (aka FALCONDA)
Meet Alvaro Cabezas, a chess adventurer whose journey is sprinkled with both cunning victories and some humbling defeats. Known online as FALCONDA, Alvaro has fought valiantly across all chess time controls—Rapid, Daily, Bullet, and Blitz. Though his peak ratings hover in the modest middle ranges—Rapid at 1011, Bullet at 807, Daily at 666, and Blitz at 301—his spirit and passion for the game are off the charts.
Playing Style & Spirit
Alvaro’s style is a fascinating blend of resilience and risk-taking. With an impressive 61.54% comeback rate, he’s the kind of player who refuses to give in even after losing a piece. His longest winning streak reached an admirable 6 games, but his longest losing streak—twelve games in a row—proves that chess is as humbling as it is thrilling. Early resignation isn't his favorite move—at just 16.47%—indicating he battles on, probably hoping for that last-minute miracle.
Favorite Openings & Strategies
Alvaro’s love affair with the Grob Opening is well-earned: a perfect 100% win rate in Rapid games, albeit from just two fights. He also favors the Nimzowitsch Defense with a solid 60% success and the Mikenas Defense boasting a 75% win rate. If you meet him on the board, expect some tricky Reti and Queen's Pawn setups.
Recent Battles: The Thrills and Spills
Here’s a peek into some recent highlights:
- Glorious Victory: On May 28, 2025, FALCONDA checkmated manumanu12345678 in a daring French Defense Knight Variation, showcasing tactical prowess and patience.
- Last Fleeting Win: Another memorable checkmate came on May 27 against lavacca90210 using the Queen's Pawn Opening Horwitz Defense — strategy and sharp moves combined!
- Recent Defeat: On June 3, 2025, he was checkmated by SingleWhiteDad in a swift endgame after a Reti Opening battle. But hey, even the best stumble sometimes.
Chess Personality Snapshot
- A determined fighter with a tilt factor of 12, meaning he keeps his cool better than most after setbacks.
- Loves to shine in the wee hours, boasting a perfect 100% win rate around 3 AM — maybe the chess muse visits then?
- Shows a knack for winning games where he started the underdog, hammering an 85.19% win rate against lower-rated foes.
- Has a soft spot for checkmates and timed wins — with 12 wins by checkmate and 23 wins on timeout, timing his attacks down to the last second.
In Summary
Alvaro Cabezas aka FALCONDA may not yet be a grandmaster, but he embodies the true spirit of a chess warrior — learning from every move, laughing off losses, and savoring every victory. His journey reminds us all that chess is not just about ratings and trophies, but the thrill of the game itself. So if you ever face FALCONDA, buckle up — it's going to be a wild, strategic ride!
