John Donaldson IM

John Donaldson - International Master

Meet John Donaldson, better known in the chess realm as imjohndonaldson, a formidable International Master whose blitz and rapid performances are no joke. John’s journey through the 64 squares reads like a thrilling novel of tactics, timing, and a touch of chess wizardry sprinkled with consistent determination.

John's blitz rating soared to an impressive peak of 2213 in May 2025, proving he’s not just fast but also dangerously accurate. In rapid chess, he reached a stunning peak rating of 2505 back in early 2021, showing versatility in both formats. If you ever catch him blitzing, watch out for his phenomenal winning streak of 14 consecutive victories — some say those games barely had time to breathe between moves.

Known for his surgical opening repertoire, John favors his secret weapon aptly named "Top Secret" in blitz, winning over 90% of these games. When stepping into more classical realms of rapid chess, he mixes things up with English Opening variations and the ever-dynamic Sicilian Defense Hyperaccelerated Dragon, keeping opponents tangled in webs of possibilities and second guesses.

Style & Habits

A tactician at heart with zero early resignations, John likes to prolong the endgame, where two-thirds of his battles unfold—a sign that he enjoys squeezing every drop of juice out of a position. Average moves per win? Nearly 72. Average moves per loss? Even longer at 83. His fighting spirit ensures that when losing a piece, he pulls off comebacks more than 82% of the time — resilience personified.

Psychologically, John’s tilt factor is quite low, so don’t expect him to crumble after a bad move. On the contrary, his best chess often happens around midnight (or 00:00 for the formal folks), sometimes making us wonder if his pieces play better after midnight snacks.

Recent Highlights

In a recent blitz showdown from May 3rd, 2025, John danced through the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, finishing with a win on time against aguu33803. His fierce tactics and positional play left his opponent with no choice but to acknowledge the better player — or just run out of clock!

Every chess player faces setbacks, and John is no exception. His most recent loss, a tough battle against facu14101998, ended after a valiant fight, reminding us all that even International Masters have off days.

Final Thoughts

John Donaldson is not just a player; he’s a force on the board who combines speed, deep strategic understanding, and psychological steadiness. Whether crushing opponents in a flash or strategizing in longer games, he carries the mantle of an International Master with a dash of flair. Keep an eye on this chess ninja — the checkmate might be just a move away.