David Howell GM

David Howell (howitzer14)

Grandmaster Extraordinaire and Tactical Dynamo

David Howell, known online as howitzer14, is no ordinary chess player. Awarded the coveted title of Grandmaster by FIDE, David combines strategic wizardry with lightning-fast reflexes that make opponents wonder if they’re playing a chess player or a chess-playing robot.

Rating Peaks and Play Styles

David’s peak ratings speak volumes: a rapid-fire 2906 in Rapid chess (August 2020), a stunning 3069 in Bullet (October 2023), and the crowning jewel, a phenomenal 3109 rating in Blitz (March 2025). When it comes to speed chess, his accuracy doesn't just keep pace—it often leads the pack.

He’s not one to quit early either, boasting an incredibly low early resignation rate of just 0.66%, proving that Howell battles until the final pawn drops. With an average of nearly 78 moves per win, his games are marathons of finesse and endurance.

The Tactical Titan

Ever the comeback kid, Howell exhibits an impressive tactical savvy, boasting an 85% comeback rate—meaning that if things look grim, never count him out. His win rate after losing a piece stands strong at nearly 67%, showing nerves of steel and a mind brimming with resourceful ideas. One-sided losses? Barely 0.8%, which means he's rarely caught napping.

Favorite Openings & Versatility

Whether it's the mysterious “Unknown Opening” with a solid win rate of nearly 65% in Rapid or the much-guarded “Top Secret” openings yielding 100% win rates, David is a player of surprises. His delights in the tactical Caro-Kann Defense and modern twists like the Grunfeld Defense neatly evidence his flexibility across formats. Curious opponents beware!

Game Highlights and Online Bragging Rights

Recent battles include swift victories over Rebequeen08 and HouseOfDurin, often wrapping up games with resignation victories that leave spectators applauding his strategic mastery. Whether outwitting middlegame conflicts or blitzing out furious finales, his games are both educational and entertaining.

Psychology & Timing

David plays best around 1 PM, but don’t let that fool you—his wins occur impressively across every hour and day of the week. His tilt factor is a mere 11, so if he ever loses his cool, it’s as rare as a “bad bishop” pun at a chess tournament. And though he fares better in rated matches, casual players sometimes catch his creative streak a little less often.

Fun Fact

With a current winning streak of 12 games and a personal best 42 wins in a row, David might just be the king of streaks. Just don’t challenge him to a bullet game before your morning coffee—his wins there are almost paranormal!

In short, David Howell is a Grandmaster who plays chess with the precision of a surgeon and the flair of a magician. Opponents beware, as each game could end with a dazzling checkmate or a lesson in resilience.