Profile: Joel Bjorklund (kronan21)
Joel Bjorklund, known in the chess realm as kronan21, is the kind of player who proves that chess is a marathon disguised as a sprint – occasionally interrupted by heroic comebacks and the occasional tilt episode (only about 12%, so quite the emotional Jedi!).
Playing Style & Habits
Joel’s style reveals patience and resilience. With an average of 56.9 moves per win, he is clearly not one to go all-in on rapid-fire checkmates, preferring the slow burn of complex middlegames and endgames, which he frequents in about 45% of his matches. When things don’t start well, his comeback rate is a commendable 66.8%, a testament to his tenacity against adversity on the board.
That said, he does have a few moments when frustration gets the better of him – his “tilt factor” hits a modest 12%, suggesting that while he can get rattled, he’s overall a cool customer.
Ratings & Performance
- Peak Ratings:
- Bullet: 739 (January 2025)
- Blitz: 629 (January 2025)
- Rapid: 711 (May 2025)
- Overall Win/Loss/Draw Record:
- Blitz: 77 wins, 71 losses, 12 draws
- Rapid: 373 wins, 357 losses, 38 draws
- Bullet: 17 wins, 24 losses, 2 draws
Opening Preferences
Joel has a clear fondness for classic, solid openings but doesn't shy from some spicy encounters:
- In Blitz: Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation and the Four Knights Game Spanish Variation are favorites with win rates of 44% and an impressive 80%, respectively.
- In Rapid: Frequently employs Kings Pawn Opening and Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation with solid success rates of about 50-62%.
- Bullet: The Scandinavian Defense Mieses Kotrc Variation stands out with a flawless 100% win rate in limited games – coincidence or secret weapon?
Psychological & Temporal Quirks
Apparently, Joel is a night owl with a penchant for playing his best chess in the wee hours - 4 AM is his magical hour where win rates peak. Early riser, maybe not so much.
He performs best on Sundays and Tuesdays, rocking about a 57% win rate on Sundays (weekend warrior?) and shows some mystery around 4 AM, boasting an 86% win rate — maybe powered by coffee, or insomnia-induced brilliance.
Memorable Recent Games
Joel’s latest triumph was a swift checkmate win against kenza041 where he boldly played an aggressive sequence including a rook sacrifice and a sneaky knight maneuver, wrapping up the game in just 30 moves. You can check out the masterpiece here.
Even legends have their off days! His most recent loss was to cgtygns by resignation, showing that even kronan21 respects when the opponent brings serious firepower.
The Opponent Chronicles
Joel has faced a colorful cast of characters in his chess journey, with some opponents like kenza041 being utterly conquered (100% win rate), while others like cgtygns have managed to bring him down (0% win rate against them).
Interestingly, he enjoys a mixed relationship with his frequent challenger lilbengarn, holding a tough 0% win rate after 6 games – perhaps rueing those particular battles at home.
Fun & Miscellaneous
Despite some struggles in fast bullet games, Joel’s strategic approach to rapid and blitz formats keeps him competitive. Perhaps with a few more bullet games under his belt and a bit less early resignation (currently about 12%), kronan21 might just be the next grandmaster to watch!
One thing is sure: with hundreds of games under his belt, a resilient spirit, and a love for classic openings, Joel Bjorklund plays chess like a poet writes verses – thoughtfully, sometimes dramatically, and always aiming for the unexpected checkmate.