Tom Cooper

Tom Cooper (aka shanghaiTom)

Meet Tom Cooper, a chess enthusiast whose journey through the 64 squares reads like a thrilling chess novel – full of ups, downs, and a sprinkle of good old-fashioned stubbornness. Sometimes known by his moniker shanghaiTom, he’s been plying his chess skills online for over 15 years, with a style that’s as unpredictable as a knight hopping into the enemy camp.

Rating Highlights

• Peak Daily Rating: 2054 in November 2009 – the year Tom probably told everyone “I’m just getting warmed up.”
• Blitz Highest: A scorching 1652 achieved in May 2020, proving Tom’s not just a slow strategist but also a rapid-fire tactician.
• Rapid Peak: 1629 in December 2010, showing versatility across different time controls.
• Bullet best: 1144 in June 2016 – yes, speed chess happens, and Tom is there, sometimes winning, sometimes spectacularly losing, but always entertaining.

Playing Style & Personality

Tom is not one to fold easily. With an impressive comeback rate of 71.47%, our player excels at turning the tides even when the going gets tough. His games are often peppered with a good helping of endgames — about 56% of his matches reach that thrilling final act.

But beware: his tilt factor sits around 19, meaning when things go south, emotions might sneak into the realm of rook and pawn battles. On the bright side, Tom shines when the clock strikes 8 PM, his statistically best time to play (take that, night owls!). Average moves per win flirt with 57, so expect long, twisting stories rather than lightning finishes.

Record & Opponents

With a triangle of wins, losses, and draws tallying over 1,900 games in Daily chess alone, Tom’s win rate is a solid 62.09% with “Unknown Opening,” and a respectable near 58% when employing the mysterious “Top Secret” opening. It’s fitting—Tom himself is a bit of a mystery, occasionally switching openings like a shapeshifter in chess armor.

His fiercest rivals include boletus and jameswaldron, whom he’s battled over 19 to 21 times, but beware – wins are never guaranteed. Interestingly, Tom boasts perfect win records against certain opponents like jsonder and ekhotseng—chess folklore in the making!

Memorable Moments

Among his many victorious battles, Tom recently triumphed over opponents such as jnjmac8 and AnaCristinaPaul—both victories came on time, which begs the question: does Tom’s clock management intimidate foes as much as his moves on the board? His games reflect strategic patience mixed with a pinch of blitz-like boldness.

Fun Facts

• Tom’s most lethal weapon might just be his psychological endurance—comeback games show he never throws in the towel early!
• His longest winning streak is a fantastic 20 games, proving he can ride the wave when inspiration strikes.
• Beware his longest losing streak of 19, a reminder that even kings fall before they rise again.
• He has a soft spot for “Unknown Openings,” which perhaps suits his enigmatic personality.
• He’s been known to win more games when playing White (win rate ~57%) but still packs quite a punch as Black (~56% win rate).
• If you want to catch Tom when he’s at his best, challenge him around 8 PM, preferably on a Saturday — his prime time for decisive victories.

Whether you’re an aspiring chess connoisseur or just looking for someone to share your victory dances and defeat groans with, Tom Cooper is a player worth following. With rich experience, a fighting spirit, and a record full of colorful tales, he reminds us all that chess is more about the journey than the Elo points.

Ready your pieces – don’t say we didn’t warn you!