Per Johansson (SkaraPerJ) — The Blitz-Born Swede
Per Johansson, known online as SkaraPerJ, is a d4-first, endgame-loving blitz specialist who treats 3-minute chaos like a chessboard spa. A prolific competitor with tens of thousands of rated blitz games, Per blends stubborn endgame technique with an uncanny ability to fight back — his comeback instincts are the stuff of legend (or at least a very stubborn tournament report).
Career highlights include a peak blitz rating of 2103 (2022-07-19) and a steady reputation for long, fighting wins (average winning game length is about 70 moves). For a quick visual of his long-term blitz trend, see the rating chart below:
Playing style & strengths
Per's style is built for slow-burn pressure inside a fast clock: he often grinds into endgames (Endgame Frequency ~74%) and rarely resigns early (Early resignation rate is almost negligible). He plays to the end, and that shows in long average decisive games and an impressive comeback rate.
- Preferred time control: Blitz (the obvious home turf)
- Comeback rate: ~81.8% — expect furious recoveries
- Avg moves per win / loss: ~70.4 / ~66.3 — lengthy battles are common
- Best time of day to catch him firing on all cylinders: around 08:00
- Streaks: longest win streak 12, longest losing streak 14 (current losing streak: 2)
Per thrives when games go long. If you enjoy precise endgame technique and slow pressure—bring a spare cup of coffee.
Openings & repertoire
Per is a heavy d4 player with a surprisingly broad repertoire on both sides. On the white side he leans into Amazon Attack lines and QGD ideas; as Black he uses Alekhine and several French structures. He plays a lot of the Amazon Attack and its Siberian Attack sub-branches — not because they're trendy, but because he puts opponents into long, uncomfortable middlegames where he excels.
- Frequently played (Blitz): Amazon Attack, Amazon Attack: Siberian Attack, Alekhine Defense, French Defense (Classical & Exchange)
- Notable strengths: practical endgame technique and deep preparation in recurring lines
- Sample opening terms you can explore: Amazon Attack • Alekhine Defense • French Defense
Memorable opponents & records
Per has an army of repeat opponents. He often meets the same usernames in the arena — ideal for grudges and rematches.
- Most-played opponents: davidrmerrikin (47 games), Chaski Patrick (45), ben tal (37), bg424jg (37)
- Selected head-to-head snippets:
- davidrmerrikin — W:12 L:30 D:5
- sairamcp — W:14 L:27 D:4
- bg424jg — W:19 L:14 D:4
- Want to see a typical rematch? View a classic rematch
Career arc & fun facts
Per's journey reads like a blitz-focused novel: steady climbs, a peak around mid-2022, and continued activity through the present. He's logged over 34,000 blitz games (wins + losses + draws), which makes him a familiar face in many arenas.
- Career blitz totals: tens of thousands of games — relentless practice shows
- Psychology: tilt factor ~14 — yes, he gets frustrated, but he keeps returning
- Tactical resilience: high win rate after losing material (~41% when down a piece)
For a tiny taste of Per’s opening-to-endgame tendencies, here’s a short game sample you can replay:
Where to find him
Look up SkaraPerJ on this site to see live games, recent activity, and full head-to-heads: Per Johansson. If you challenge him to blitz, bring d4, a stout endgame plan, and a sense of humor — and expect a fight to move 60+.