Robert Cober

Robert "optimonkey" Cober

Robert Cober, affectionately known online as "optimonkey," is a blitz enthusiast and a resilient gladiator of the 64 squares. While his chess rating has modestly oscillated between the 800s and just over 1300, his tireless love for the game and relentless number of played games prove dedication outweighs raw talent... for now.

Early Days & Rating Journey

Robert first appeared on the chess radar back in 2011, enjoying a promising start with a daily rating peak of 1572. Over the years, he’s dived headfirst into blitz, rapid, and daily games, mastering the fine art of perseverance through win rates that suggest a keen tactical eye and occasional blunders worthy of a sitcom subplot.

Playing Style

With an average of about 60 moves per game (win or lose), Robert's games are marathons, not sprints. He's a strategist who takes his time, occasionally resigning early (don’t worry, only 0.75% of the time), and thrives best when playing White with a 51.33% win rate. His comebacks show a whopping 79.68% tenacity—there’s no giving up when the chips are down! Sadly, his tilt factor of 13 indicates some emotional fireworks when the games don’t go his way.

Openings & Favorite Defenses

Robert exhibits a fondness for classic openings like the King's Pawn Opening Leonardis Variation and a respectable record against the Scandinavian Defense's Mieses Kotrc Variation boasting over 56% wins. He’s not shy of mixing it up with the Philidor Defense or Caro Kann, though sometimes those lines fry his circuits.

Notable Achievements & Stats

• Longest winning streak: 11 games
• Peak Blitz rating: 1354 (January 2016)
• Peak Daily rating: 1572 (March 2011)
• Peak Rapid rating: 1277 (July 2020)
• Impressive comeback rate: nearly 80%

Recent Chess Drama

In an intense game from June 2025, Robert showcased his brutal endgame proficiency, delivering a checkmate victory with the Caro-Kann Defense Advance Botvinnik-Carls Defense. Moves like a knight sacrifice on move 20 and relentless queen and rook pressure in the final stages exemplify the ‘never say die’ optimonkey spirit.

Quirks & Personality

Known for a slightly quirky streak, Robert’s username "optimonkey" reflects a personality that’s as playful as it is optimistic. While his win-loss record hovers around a near-even keel, his refusal to surrender his enthusiasm makes him a beloved figure in online chess circles, occasionally baffling his opponents with unexpected moves and cheeky tactics.

In Conclusion

Robert Cober isn’t just another chess player; he’s a testament to passion over prestige. Whether losing by resignation, checkmate, or tick-tock timeout, he keeps coming back to the board, proving that in the kingdom of chess, resilience is the ultimate checkmate.