Overview
Dan Shapiro — FIDE Master and consummate Rapid specialist — is a sharp, resourceful chess player known for grinding wins in faster time controls and turning chaotic middlegames into practical victories. A prolific competitor across Rapid and Blitz, Dan combines deep opening preparation with a knack for comebacks that keeps opponents on their toes.
Keywords: Dan Shapiro FM, FIDE Master, rapid chess, blitz specialist, Catalan, Slav, Scandinavian.
Style & Strengths
Dan plays like someone who reads the position twice: once to see the tactics, and again to punish your blunder. Strengths highlighted in his games include rapid recovery after material losses, long decisive games (frequently reaching complex endgames), and a surprisingly high comeback rate.
- Title: FIDE Master (FM)
- Preferred time control: Rapid — a clear favorite for Dan's thoughtful but practical approach.
- Notable traits: high ComebackRate (2459 (2021-08-18)), strong endgame play, low early-resignation tolerance.
Career Highlights
Dan's career is a steady climb of memorable months and striking peaks. He has recorded career-best peaks in both Rapid and Blitz, demonstrating elite-level form in faster formats.
- Rapid peak: 2459 (2021-08-18) — a milestone that showcases Dan's mastery of longer quick games.
- Blitz peak: 2439 (2025-07-29) — raw speed and tactical sharpness on display.
- Consistency: long streaks of high-level play with many multi-month stretches of elite Rapid/Blitz performance. See a visual trend: .
Favorite Openings & Repertoire
Dan favors dynamic, fighting systems that lead to practical play — both as White and Black. He’s comfortable in gambits and classical structures alike.
- Scandinavian Defense — a go-to for direct play and asymmetry.
- Slav Defense: Bonet Gambit — an unusually successful weapon for Dan (excellent win rate in Rapid).
- Catalan systems — flexible and strategically rich positions.
- Benko Gambit and Dőry Defense — frequent choices that produce imbalanced middlegames.
Explore an opening term: Catalan Opening • Slav Defense: Bonet Gambit • Scandinavian Defense
Rivalries & Memorable Opponents
Dan has several repeat opponents who have become familiar adversaries over many games — sometimes charming, sometimes brutally efficient.
- Most-played opponents include vukcev, dosto07 and ze-pequeno — a mix of tit-for-tat battles and long scorelines.
- One-sided streaks: a spotless record against shirovin (16–0) — an amusing brag in Dan’s repertoire.
- Profile example: Marcel Winkels
Fun Facts & Extras
- Average decisive game length is long — Dan enjoys fighting until the last pawn.
- Exceptional resilience: a very high ComebackRate and strong WinRateAfterLosingPiece.
- Sample opening sequence (try it in the viewer):
- Want to see a timeline? Try the rapid rating chart above: .
Whether you’re studying the Catalan or hunting for a stubborn endgame opponent, Dan Shapiro FM is a modern example of fighting chess at speed — equal parts craft, stubbornness, and the occasional cheeky sacrifice.