Mathieu Zoppis

Mathieu Zoppis (aka zozopopo34)

Meet Mathieu Zoppis, a chess enthusiast whose journey through the battlefield of 64 squares is marked by resilience, tenacity, and a smattering of both glorious triumphs and humbling defeats. Known online as zozopopo34, Mathieu’s chess narrative is anything but predictable—kind of like his fluctuating ratings!

Rating & Playing Style

Mathieu’s peak rapid rating proudly hit 981 (November 2021), while his blitz zenith soared just shy of 1000 at 996. Though the numbers have danced downward and then gently sideways since, this player is clearly on a quest to master the art of the comeback — with a remarkable 70.48% comeback rate after falling behind. Behind the screens, Mathieu balances patience and doggedness, averaging about 51 moves to a win (and a slightly longer saga in losses).

Match Records & Mental Game

With nearly 210 rapid games under his belt and over 360 blitz encounters, Mathieu’s record reads like a rollercoaster ride:
Rapid: 44 wins, 56 losses, 9 draws
Blitz: 166 wins, 180 losses, 24 draws
Not one to quit easily, his initial hesitation rate is low at just under 4%, suggesting a stubborn streak that refuses to resign prematurely—even when the chips are down. Although his tilt factor clocks in at a modest 9 (yes, Mathieu gets a little salty sometimes), he shows a surprisingly sharp psychological resilience.

Opening Choices & Secrets

Mathieu approaches openings with a blend of mystery and spontaneity: he mostly plays the “Unknown Opening” with a consistent but modest ~40% win rate in rapid games, proving that sometimes confusion is a strategy. But watch out when he unleashes his Top Secret opening—in rapid, it boasts a flawless 100% success rate (admittedly from just one game, but hey, quality over quantity right?).

Notable Opponent Facts

He has tangled most frequently with players like wallibolt and 16nec, with whom his fortunes have varied.
Against some challengers, Mathieu has a perfect record—winning every game played (take that, hungiecatto and gojosatoruu7!). However, there are a few opponents where the scoreboard is less kind, reminding us that every chess journey has its dragons to slay.

Highlight Performance: Recent Win

In an intense rapid duel on April 20, 2025, Mathieu (white) clinched victory against fliqz999 on time after a clever, crushing advance in a Queen’s Pawn Opening: Chigorin Variation. The game was a marathon of tactical finesse and positional dominance, concluding in a striking promotion to queen on move 36 followed by relentless pressure until opponent ran out of the clock. Watch the game here.

Fun Facts

• Mathieu’s best time to play? About midnight — when the moonlight fuels his cunning moves.
• His longest winning streak is an impressive 10 games, proving that on his day, he is a force to reckon with.
• He plays with a pleasantly unpredictable style, rarely surrendering early and often engaging in long battles that test endurance.

Whether you're a friend, foe, or fan, Mathieu “zozopopo34” Zoppis reminds us all that chess is as much about character and spirit as it is about numbers and ratings. Here’s to many more battles on the 64 squares—check and checkmate included!