Joseph Zeltsan - TheCavemanChess
Known in the chess world as TheCavemanChess, Joseph Zeltsan holds the esteemed title of International Master from FIDE. A chess warrior with a flair for daily battles on the board, Joseph has been carving a path of pawns and knights through countless games since at least 2014.
Rating and Style
Joseph's peak blitz rating soared to 2864 in April 2024—definitely not a score to be taken lightly. His bullet prowess is equally impressive with a peak rating of 2674 achieved in May 2025. Not one to shy away from longer formats, Joseph also boasts rapid and daily ratings peaking above 2300 and nearly 1880 respectively.
Style-wise, Joseph is a fighter who doesn't give up easily: his comeback rate sits at a solid 75.61%, and he shows a respectable 49.28% win rate after losing a piece. But be wary—he tends to tilt about 23% of the time, so if you get under his skin, it might just affect his moves. On the bright side, the best time to face him is around 11 AM, when his brain is tuned for victory.
Favorite Openings & Key Stats
TheCavemanChess has a mysterious side, favoring a “Top Secret” opening with a win rate over 53% in blitz games. When feeling classical, he isn’t shy of the French Defense’s Steinitz Boleslavsky variation—though that line’s trickier for him, with a win rate around 43%. In bullet, the Indian Game Black Knights Tango is a favorite, boasting a perfect 100% win rate.
His average game length hovers around 62 moves per win, showing that Joseph likes to make his victories thoroughly earned. When he wins with white, he’s slightly stronger than with black, with white win rates around 53%. But with black, he can hold his ground well, sporting nearly 49% wins.
Memorable Games
Some of Joseph’s recent triumphs include a sharp victory in the French Defense where he confidently pressed the attack to force his opponent’s resignation, and another brilliant king-side assault leading to a smooth checkmate. His losses, on the other hand, remind us that even the best have off days – including a tense Queens Gambit Declined game lost on time and a strategic battle in the Catalan Opening.
In Summary
Joseph Zeltsan, aka TheCavemanChess, blends tactical sharpness with psychological resilience — except when the tilt gremlins come to visit. Balanced between bullet speed and classical endurance, Joseph continues his quest, game by game, to conquer the 64 squares. Whether you face him at dawn or dusk, remember: he might just outwit you with a “Top Secret” opening, but beware his penchant for resigning early if the tide turns!