Jim Tarjan GM

Jim Tarjan (aka Tirantes) - Chess Grandmaster Extraordinaire

Jim Tarjan, known in the chess world by the enigmatic handle "Tirantes", holds the prestigious title of Grandmaster as awarded by FIDE. With a knack for both cerebral strategy and tenacious endgames, Jim’s rapid rating soared to a peak of 2463 in April 2020—a number that sends shivers down the spines of opponents and chess boards alike.

Quick Facts & Numbers

• Peak Rapid Rating: 2463 (Apr 2020)
• Peak Blitz Rating: 2282 (Apr 2019)
• Peak Daily Rating: 2000 (Apr 2014)
• Notable Win Rate: Armed with a rapid win rate of about 43%, Jim approaches the board with a controlled fury unlike any pawn-pusher you've faced.

Playing Style

Jim’s style? Let’s just say it’s like a Netflix thriller: intense, full of twists, and occasionally, an unexpected comeback. With an impressive 76.19% comeback rate after setbacks, Jim specializes in turning around seemingly lost positions, while averaging nearly 68 moves to victory, meaning his battles are as enduring as they are fascinating.

While the average loss might drag on a bit longer at almost 89 moves, Jim’s resilience is unyielding. Despite a tilt factor of 4 (he's only mildly displeased after a loss), his favorite time to play is the mysterious hours of 1:00 AM, arguably when the chess gods whisper their secrets.

The Openings Whisperer

Unknown openings don’t scare Jim. He’s played over 100 rapid games with unknown openings, approaching it with a respectable 40.68% win rate. But his secret weapon is the intriguingly named "Top Secret" opening, boasting a stellar rapid win rate north of 53%. Whether this is an actual opening or just Jim's metaphor for his creativity, opponents beware!

Recent Performance Highlights

On December 7, 2022, Jim (as Tirantes) demonstrated his sharp tactical skills with a swift and elegant checkmate in a rapid game on Chess.com, finishing off the Catalan Opening with a flourish. His ability to seal games by checkmate or resignation has made him a feared competitor to players ranging from casual enthusiasts to hardened rivals like dreadpal and visa.

Personality & Fun Facts

With a winning streak peaking at 6 games and a longest losing streak capped at 4, Jim’s chess journey is a rollercoaster with plenty of thrills. Known for rarely resigning early (0 early resignations recorded!), he battles to the very end like a warrior poet of the 64 squares.

When not plotting brilliant combinations or staring down queens and rooks, Jim might be found pondering the mysteries of why his Black win rate (43.43%) is just a hair shy of his White win rate (45.56%), or why 1 AM is better for chess than 2 PM. Some mysteries remain unsolved, but one thing is certain: Jim Tarjan's chess career is nothing short of legendary.