Carlos Messía de la Cerda Sánchez

Carlos Messía de la Cerda Sánchez aka TheLonelySheperd

Carlos is a formidable and delightfully human chess enthusiast whose journey across the 64 squares reveals a rollercoaster of exhilarating wins, humbling losses, and plenty of learning moments. Known in the chess realm as TheLonelySheperd, Carlos has battled opponents both fierce and friendly, navigating the complexities of rapid, blitz, and daily games with a spirit that refuses to quit.

Chess Career Highlights

• Peak Rapid Rating: 585 (May 2023)
• Peak Blitz Rating: 760 (March 2025)
• Peak Daily Rating: 1077 (December 2023)

With over 200 rapid games played, Carlos has a gritty 40% win rate against opponents using an intriguingly secret opening repertoire (seriously, it’s a top secret to everyone but him). He’s crafted some nimble victories, including a notable recent checkmate in blitz where his tactical finesse shone bright, delivering a final queen strike that left his opponent gasping for air.

Playing Style & Personality

Carlos combines thoughtful patience with a flair for dramatic comebacks—boasting a 67% rate of rebounding after falling behind. He isn’t one for early resignations, giving each game his full attention and averaging over 40 moves in wins. But don’t be fooled by the numbers: while he sometimes tilts (an 18% tilt factor, hey, nobody’s perfect), he’s at his best in the early morning hours, especially around 8 AM, when strategy and caffeine align perfectly.

Thanks to his tenacity, Carlos holds a longest winning streak of 8 games, a respectable feat among friends and acquaintances alike. On the flip side, he’s experienced the heartbreak of an 18-game losing streak, proving that every chess journey is filled with ups, downs, and more coffee breaks than one might expect.

Memorable Opponents

Carlos is no stranger to rivalry. He has faced edulechowski 16 times (though with modest success at just 12.5% wins) and tussled uniquely against players like fluffyk87 and rob3rtop3so. Win rates against some opponents hover near perfection — undefeated against a surprising list of challengers — while others have managed to elbow past his defenses.

What’s Next for Carlos?

Continual improvement! Although his recent rating trend shows some tough battles and rating dips, the fire burns under TheLonelySheperd. Whether executing a surprise gambit or grinding down an endgame, Carlos plays with heart and humor, always ready to rise and meet the next challenge.

As he likes to joke, “Chess is the only game where losing gracefully means you’re plotting your revenge!”