John Hartman

John Hartman: The Chess Connoisseur

Known online as alutiiqman, John Hartman is the kind of chess player who approaches the 64 squares like a detective at a mystery dinner party—meticulously, sometimes suspiciously, but always ready for the unexpected.

Early Days and Rating Escapades

Starting with a steady 1200 rating in late 2020, John climbed gradually, peaking at 1346 in early 2021 in daily chess—proof that slow and steady sometimes does win the race, or at least doesn't lose it immediately. His journey shows a love for the game rather than a hunger for glory, having logged over 200 daily games with a near-even split of 105 wins and 103 losses, and a handful of draws sprinkled in like rare Easter eggs.

Style and Strategy

John's openings are a tale of variety and experimentation. Favorites include the mysterious Top Secret (no, this isn’t a James Bond move but an obscure line where he boasts a 53% win rate), the classical elegance of the Vienna Game, and the sturdy Caro Kann Defense. In fact, when it comes to openings, he tends to keep opponents guessing—perhaps confusing them more than winning outright, but hey, subtlety is an art.

White pieces or black, John holds his ground almost equally, with a 50.82% win rate playing white and a respectable 48.11% with black. The average length of his wins clocks in at around 60 moves, making for games that are anything but quick—and maybe the reason his opponents occasionally grow impatient.

Rapid Fire and Blitz Battles

Despite a lower blitz rating around 931 recently, John once hit a blitz peak of 1156 in 2020 and even soared up to a rapid rating of 1879 in August 2023. It appears rapid suits his style best, where he can combine careful calculation with tactics—his comeback rate is a stellar 81%, nearly Houdini-like when down a piece.

Notable Games and Rivalries

John’s record against certain opponents tells its own story: an impressive 87% win rate against alpaws1 contrasts sharply with a mere 13% success rate versus bwhip2100. If chess were a soap opera, these stats would be headline plot points.

Personality on the Board

John never surrenders early—his early resignation rate is zero—indicating a dogged spirit not to be underestimated. Yet with a tilt factor of 5 (out of 100, naturally), he’s mostly Zen. His best games appear around 9 AM, so perhaps sunrise is when his queen really wakes up.

Recent Highlights

One recent masterpiece came from the Vienna Game, sealing victory by checkmate on May 25, 2025, showcasing his skillful tactical vision and resilience. A hard-fought win, it’s a reminder that patience and passion often pay off, even when the opponent's clock is ticking louder.

The Man Behind the Moves

In between his chess duels, John Hartman is probably the kind of player who chuckles over a clever trap or shakes his head at a silly blunder—but always jumps back in with the same enthusiasm. A chess journeyman and enthusiast, John epitomizes the joy of playing for the love of the game, the thrill of the battle, and maybe the occasional checkmate selfie.