David Smerdon - The Grandmaster Known as "smurfo"
David Smerdon, aka "smurfo" on the digital battlefield, is a seasoned Grandmaster recognized by FIDE. With a chess career that’s more a roller coaster than a quiet stroll, David has dazzled fans with razor-sharp tactics and a flair for the dramatic endgame. Known for his resilience, he boasts a comeback rate near 90%—because why give up when you can just turn the tables?
Starting out with a blitz rating rocketing to a peak of 2668 in July 2013, David hasn’t slowed down. His bullet rating even touched a fearsome 2671 at one point. If you think fast-paced chess is just luck, think again—his win rate against equally matched opponents is a respectable 42.86%, but against lower-rated foes, it balloons to a confident 68.34%. It seems underdogs beware: David’s ready to pounce!
Playing mostly under pressure, "smurfo" thrives like a cat on a keyboard when the clock’s ticking. His best times? Midnight and early morning hours, perfect for those who like their chess spiced with a touch of insomnia. His tendency to resign early is quite low (only 12%), proving he fights hard to the end, averaging over 70 moves in his victories.
Beyond stats, David’s style radiates from the board: aggressive but calculated, a wizard who’s just as happy grinding out a long endgame (nearly 79% endgame frequency) as he is going all-in on blitz. His white pieces win nearly 68% of the time, showing he loves taking the initiative; with black, he holds strong at nearly 62%.
When not logging countless games (over 6,500 blitz clashes alone!) or schooling opponents like dabee and ukchessbomber, David might be found researching new openings—though his secrets remain, well, Top Secret. His longest winning streak hits 24 games, which is like your Netflix binge but with chess victories.
Recent Memorable Performances
Just recently, "smurfo" secured a thrilling win in January 2025 with a classic Modern Defense game, winning on time but surely making the moves count. Of course, no great career is without its setbacks—his last tough loss came in December 2024, ending a complex King's Indian Attack battle.
Whether blitzing through opponents with lightning speed or engaging in deep tactical duels, David Smerdon remains a chess force—part strategist, part showman, and all in for the love of the game.