Aaron James

Aaron James - The Chess Journeyman

Meet Aaron James, or as some might call him in the enigmatic world of chess handle bars, Aaron-the-monke. Aaron’s chess journey is nothing short of a rollercoaster – a wild ride with moments of triumph, tricky losses, and the occasional “Wait, what just happened?” surprise.

Starting his rapid rating career with a modest 168 in 2024, Aaron dove headfirst into the competitive waters of 2025, facing battles in every time control imaginable: Bullet, Blitz, Rapid, and even the slower Daily format. While Rapid seems to be a battlefield where he wrestled with more losses than wins (10 wins to 28 losses), his Bullet chess exploits are something to behold, boasting a solid 60.5% win rate and a personal best rating soaring up to 576. Clearly, lightning-fast decisions suit him well, even if sometimes those moves cost him a pawn or two—or maybe the whole game.

Aaron’s playing style? A curious concoction of bold tactics and dogged resilience. With an impressive 100% win rate after losing a piece, this guy refuses to back down even after a mini-disaster on the board. His comeback rate of over 31% shows he’s not just playing chess; he’s playing mental chess and holding strong when the chips are down. But beware – a tilt factor of 8 means frustration can sneak in faster than a sneaky bishop.

What about openings? That’s Aaron’s secret sauce. Aptly labeled "Top Secret", it’s been used in nearly every game, from rapid duels to Blitz skirmishes. While the success rate varies dramatically—from a humble 16.7% in Blitz to a dazzling 60.5% in Bullet—it keeps opponents guessing, which might just be the plan.

His longest winning streak? A whopping 15 consecutive wins, which shows when Aaron hits his groove, he absolutely dominates. Unfortunately, the current streak stands at zero, as every chess warrior experiences the ebbs and flows of the game.

Recent foes include the likes of dogekilla1 and progamerwin, with Aaron showing ruthlessness against some (100% win rate) and a tough battle against others (zero wins). The key takeaway? Consistency is a work in progress.

Whether hunting for victory at 1 AM or fighting for every pawn at 8 PM, Aaron plays his heart out. His average winning game finishes in about 28 moves, showing a preference for quick, tactical skirmishes rather than marathon endgames—though he does reach endgames 41.86% of the time.

In a nutshell, Aaron James is a fierce competitor with flashes of brilliance, a secret weapon for openings, and a willpower that keeps him in the fight even when the board looks grim. Expect wild swings, crafty comebacks, and a sense of humor about it all—after all, chess is serious business, but Aaron keeps it playful.