David Lariño Nieto - Grandmaster Extraordinaire
Meet David Lariño Nieto, known in the digital chess realms as Tartody, a true Grandmaster of the 64 squares! With a FIDE Grandmaster title in his pocket and a blitz rating that once soared to an electrifying 2785 in June 2021, Tartody has danced with pawns and knights like a maestro conducting a symphony of strategy.
His blitz games tell a tale of both brilliance and tenacity: over 370 blitz battles fought online, he’s claimed victory in 218, drawing 33 and learning from 119 losses — but hey, even Grandmasters get their pawns forked now and then! His bullet and rapid performances follow suit, with impressive peak ratings near the 2700 range, proving that speed and precision are his best friends.
Playing Style and Personality
Not just a cold calculator, Tartody's style is a blend of patience and fireworks. With an average winning game lasting over 71 moves, and losses often extending even longer, his battles are marathons, not sprints. He’s not one to give up easily - a comeback rate near 86% means when things look grim, expect a phoenix rising from the ashes. And watch out: his opponents often finish the game by resignation, hinting they faced an unstoppable force wearing chess boots.
A quirky twist? His best time of day to unleash his chess magic is around 11:00 AM and during the Thursday blitz session, his winning rate rockets to a staggering 88.89% - clearly the day the stars align for Tartody. Also, if you're planning to play against him late at night, be warned: his win percentage dips just enough to give you hope. But only just.
Favorite Openings
When it comes to openings, Tartody is a bit of a secret agent. He plays a lot of unknown openings in blitz with a solid 58% winrate, and when he pulls out the "Top Secret" opening, he wins more than 62% of the time. Opponents stumble into uncharted territory - and who knows what traps lie in wait...
Rivalries and Records
Among his many opponents, pepecuenca stands out as his most frequent nemesis with 67 games played, though Tartody manages to maintain a respectable ~40% winrate here—proof that even great players have their Kryptonite. Conversely, against many challengers, his victories reach a perfect 100%, making it clear that once Tartody decides to win, he is merciless.
Recent Highlights
In a recent thrilling encounter dubbed “Live Chess” on January 22nd, 2025, Tartody outmaneuvered Alex_Murillo — the victim bowed out by resignation after a cunning Modern Defense. Another victory against Oliver_Wartiovaara showcased his mastery of the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, wrapping up the match with a graceful resignation from his opponent. A win on time in a Chess960 variant shows Tartody’s adaptability shines through no matter the shuffle!
From crushing opponents with surgical precision to sometimes facing tough losses that make for great comebacks, David "Tartody" Lariño Nieto is a fascinating chess character: part tactician, part entertainer, and all Grandmaster.
Keep an eye out: this Grandmaster’s journey is far from over, and the chessboard is his stage.