Darren Faulkner

Darren Faulkner — aka LeapingLizard92

Meet Darren Faulkner, a rapid-fire tactician and blitz enthusiast known in the chess world by his electrifying username, LeapingLizard92. His rating journey resembles the thrilling ride of a roller coaster, climbing from a modest 618 in mid-2023 to an impressive rapid peak of 990 by early 2025. Not one to shy away from fierce competition, Darren has played over a thousand rapid and blitz games, boasting nearly as many wins as losses — a testimony to his never-give-up fighting spirit.

Darren’s opening repertoire is as mysterious as his nickname. Whether it’s the Unknown Opening or the covertly stocked Top Secret lines, he keeps opponents guessing. His bold ventures with the Italian Game in blitz deliver a win rate north of 60%, proving that when he’s confident, his knights and bishops dance with deadly precision.

Not one for early resignations (a mere 1.06%!), Darren battles in endgames with a frequency over 65%, often dragging opponents into long duels averaging 65 moves per win. His tactical awareness shines brightest when the chips are down, with a staggering 81.55% comeback rate after losing material — quite like a lizard shedding its tail to survive.

Fun fact: Darren's best chess hour is 9 AM — apparently the time when lizards and grandmasters alike are most alert. However, even the most composed can tilt; Darren’s “tilt factor” clocks in at a humble 9, showing he knows the struggle is real but doesn’t let it get him down. His stylistic quirks also include a near-equal win rate with playing Black and White, making him an unpredictable foe on both sides of the board.

Recent Highlights

One of Darren’s most recent triumphs was a beautifully orchestrated checkmate using the Bishop's Opening (ECO C28), where his queen swooped in decisively on move 21, leaving his opponent no chance to squirm. Despite occasional hard-fought losses, Darren's resilience never wanes — every defeat is just fuel for his next leaping lizard leap in the game of chess.

When he's not outsmarting opponents online, Darren might just be plotting his next cinematic comeback or perfecting his opening repertoire, all while maintaining a healthy dose of playful mystery befitting his unique chess persona.