Justin Hawkins (jhawkin) - The Knight of Comebacks
Justin Hawkins, known by his online handle jhawkin, is a chess enthusiast whose journey on the 64 squares reads like a rollercoaster ride through checkmates and resignations — with a sprinkle of stubborn comebacks and occasional blunders for flavor. With a peak Rapid rating of 825 reached back in early 2019, Justin has seen his rating ebb and flow, proving that even the best players have their “Oops, blundered a queen” moments.
Playing Style & Strengths
Justin is a resilient fighter with a remarkable comeback rate of 68.63% and a canny ability to win nearly 39% of games where he’s lost a piece early on. Endgames are his playground — he frequents them like a regular coffee shop, showing a fondness for long strategic battles averaging about 56 moves per win. Unfortunately, those late-game marathons sometimes stretch into losses too, with an average loss lasting over 64 moves.
Despite a tilt factor of 12 (translation: occasionally lets frustration sneak in), his psychological fortitude is commendable. His best time to strike fear into opponents? Around 7 AM – early birds beware!
Opening Repertoire
Justin loves the Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation in rapid games, boasting a modest but solid win rate of 54%, and truly thrives in lines like the Bishop’s Opening with a smashing 73.3% winning tune. Some openings, like the King’s Fianchetto in daily games, however, are his nemeses — with a win rate sadly sitting at zero. Hey, every hero has an Achilles heel.
Track Record
With over 230 rapid wins and 211 losses plus several draws, Justin’s experience comes with plenty of hustle. His daily chess record shows he's no stranger to tough battles, struggling a bit with 21 wins against 41 losses. Bullet and Blitz are wild frontiers for him — a few wins peppered amongst many losses, highlighting that speed chess may not be his forte.
Memorable Recent Battles
Justin’s most recent notable victories involved tactical prowess and positional finesse, best exemplified in a rapid encounter against joona123453 where he convincingly capitalized on the Scandinavian Defense to force a resignation. His losses, like a tense showdown with danielsans16 in the Philidor Defense, remind him that chess humbles even its most dedicated disciples.
Fun Facts
- Longest winning streak: 7 games — proof that when the stars align, Justin is unstoppable.
- Longest losing streak: 12 games — because even grandmasters have “not-so-great” days.
- Average moves per game show patience and endurance; Justin is in it for the long haul.
- Wins most when playing White slightly edge out Black victories, but he’s definitely comfortable on both sides.
Whether smashing pawns or sneaking in a sneaky fork, Justin Hawkins embodies the spirit of a true chess adventurer: a mix of strategy, grit, and the willingness to get back up every time the king takes a hit.
