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Player Profile

James Voelker NM

flagged-again Since 2009 (Inactive) Chess.com ♟
62.3% W 31.8% L 5.9% D
Bullet
1878
76W 53L 7D
Blitz
1910
353W 233L 35D
Rapid
2104
40W 10L 3D
Daily
2004
139W 14L 13D

James Voelker — National Master and Rapid Specialist

James Voelker is a National Master known for lively, tactical play and a soft spot for gambits. Active since the early 2010s, James made a steady climb through blitz and daily play before establishing Rapid as the preferred time control. Expect sharp openings, long decisive battles, and the occasional cheeky trap.

Overview

James began appearing in large numbers on the online scene around 2013 and has collected hundreds of decisive games across time controls. Notable milestones include a Daily peak that topped 2257 in April 2023 and a Rapid peak above 2100 in early 2024. Preferred time control appears to be Rapid.

  • Titled: National Master (National)
  • Active since: 2013
  • Preferred time control: Rapid

Playing Style

James blends tactical fireworks with surprisingly deep endgames. Opponents often find themselves outprepared in the opening and outplayed through long middlegame tussles.

  • White win rate: 68.22, Black win rate: 61.44
  • Avg moves per win: 55.4, avg moves per loss: 76.0
  • Endgame frequency is high and comebacks are common; Comeback rate: 73.79
  • Early resignation rate: 62 percent — James gives the benefit of doubt only to creative blunders

Favorite Openings and Repertoire Highlights

Whether wielding the Evans Gambit or the Alapin, James favors openings that invite tactics and complications. Here are recurrent favorites and strong results.

  • Evans Gambit (Daily): near-perfect results, including a 100 percent run on the 5...Ba5 6.d4 line. Evans Gambit
  • Bird Opening: Dutch Variation, Batavo Gambit — a signature try across time controls with especially strong Daily numbers. Bird Opening
  • Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation — reliable and successful in Blitz and Daily. Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
  • Italian Game: Two Knights Defense — excellent conversion rate in faster time controls
  • King's Gambit and Falkbeer ideas show up as surprise weapons with very high win rates in some pools
Win Rate by Opening0%25%75%100%50%Bird Opening: Dutch Variation, Batavo Gambit: 59.8% over 122 gamesSicilian Defense: Alapin Variation: 66.7% over 66 gamesRuy Lopez: Schliemann Defense: 59.1% over 44 gamesItalian Game: Two Knights Defense: 78.6% over 42 gamesEvans Gambit: 5...Ba5 6.d4: 95.1% over 41 gamesScandinavian Defense: 67.7% over 31 gamesBird Opening: Dutch Var…60%Sicilian Defense: Alapi…67%Ruy Lopez: Schliemann D…59%Italian Game: Two Knigh…79%Evans Gambit: 5...Ba5 6…95%Scandinavian Defense68%

Head to Head and Notable Opponents

James has built favorable records against several regular opponents and is particularly prolific versus a top adversary.

  • jpharned — most played: 55 games. Record roughly 34 wins, 12 losses, 9 draws. jpharned
  • jbudde — 23 games, dominant scoreline: 22 wins, 1 loss
  • themadcatter — 12 games, undefeated (12 wins)
  • Top repeated opponents also include m5manny, adhdavid, and mayaensor with strong win records

Streaks: longest winning streak 23 games, longest losing streak 7 games. Current winning streak at the time of the data is 1 game.

Seasonal and Time Trends

James performs best at certain hours and days. Late morning and early afternoon tend to be sweet spots, while evening blitz bursts produce entertaining fireworks.

  • Best day by win rate: Wednesday and Saturday are among the strongest
  • Best hour by win rate: noon produced an astonishing win rate in the sample
  • Prefers Rapid overall, but has deep archives of Blitz and Daily excellence
Rapid Rating211920732026197919322020: 19472021: 20852022: 21042024: 21042020202120222024

Fun Facts & Placeholders

  • Quirky stat: James' games tend to be long and decisive — expect 50+ moves when a result is coming. Keywords: long decisive games, tactical, gambit specialist.
  • Peak daily rating highlight: 2257 (2023-04-05)
  • Want to stalk a frequent opponent? See jpharned
  • Interactive chart:
    Rapid Rating211920732026197919322020: 19472021: 20852022: 21042024: 21042020202120222024

Short version: James Voelker is a National Master who loves sacrificial chess, favors Rapid play, and will happily trade a pawn for drama. Approach with a sound opening and a pocketful of tactics.

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