James Cater

James Cater (aka KiwiKn)

James Cater is a rapid and daily chess enthusiast who has proven himself as no mere pawn on the board. With a peak rapid rating of 1453 in April 2020 and a solid daily rating cresting at 1361 in August 2019, James has demonstrated an impressive knack for outsmarting his opponents, often with a cheeky grin hidden beneath the chessboard.

Playing Style & Personality

Known for his persistence and resilience, James boasts a remarkable 65.38% comeback rate in tactical skirmishes and wins more than half his games even after losing a piece. His psychological tilt factor stands at a modest 6, suggesting he keeps cool when the pressure is on—mostly. As a true strategist, he averages 58 moves per victory, savoring the grind rather than rushing for an early checkmate.

Fans of sharp endgames will appreciate James’ appetite for complexity, given he reaches endgames in over 63% of his contests, and wins comfortably more often playing White (66.67%) than Black (60.87%). Despite some occasional blunders, his early resignation rate is a humble 7.14%, proving he prefers to fight until the last knight falls.

Performance Highlights

• Rapid Record: 18 wins, 14 losses, 0 draws.
• Daily Record: 8 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw. Undefeated with the patience of a grandmaster of snail-paced battles.
• Opening Mastery: Uses a "Top Secret" opening strategy, winning 56.25% in Rapid and a staggering 88.89% in Daily games.
• Winning Streak: Highest streak of 5 wins and currently riding a 1-game winning streak.
• Opponent Highlights: Holds a 100% win rate against players like Grob5, Glennfg, and Andiluce. However, BobbyFM has been a tough nut with only 11% success against him.

Chess Time Preferences

James seems to be a nocturnal maestro, with perfect 100% win rates at strange hours like 21:00, 19:00, 5:00, 7:00, and even 9:00 (we suspect caffeine involvement). Saturdays and Sundays? A flawless 100% win rate suggests that weekends are sacred and chess boards must bow before him.

Most Memorable Battles

One of James’ recent victories involves a thrilling game as White against VivJS using the Reti Opening - Sicilian Invitation, where he masterfully pressed through to a win on time despite the tension, showcasing not just tactical skill but excellent time management.

Fun Fact

Given his username KiwiKn and his “Top Secret” opening, James might be a secret agent disguised as a casual chess player. His ability to come back from losing pieces and to dominate weekend games might just be spy moves rather than mere chess tactics!

One thing is for sure: James Cater doesn’t just play chess — he lives it, breathes it, and occasionally sneaks a cheeky checkmate in when nobody’s looking.