Maxim Matlakov (BillieKimbah): The Blitz Behemoth
Maxim Matlakov, known online as BillieKimbah, is a FIDE Grandmaster who has turned the chess.com Blitz pool into his personal playground. His peak Blitz rating of 3148 (2026-08-20) is not just a number, it is a warning label.
From Unknown to Unstoppable
Matlakov's rating history is one of the most dramatic climbs you will ever see. In early 2016 he sat near 1574 in Blitz. By 2020 he was flirting with 2900, and by 2026 he crossed the 3100 mark. That is not improvement, that is a volcanic eruption.
The Blitz Specialist
There is no mystery about Matlakov's favorite time control: Blitz. With over 1,900 games to his name in the 5-minute format, he has built a style that rewards quick thinking, deep opening knowledge, and a stubborn refusal to lose. His Blitz record stands at 1148 wins, 531 losses, and 240 draws, good for a 68 percent score overall.
Opening Repertoire
Matlakov is not afraid to wander off the beaten path. He has played the Döry Defense, the Amazon Attack, and the Hungarian Opening Wiedenhagen-Beta Gambit with surprising frequency. Yet his foundation remains classical. His results with the Caro-Kann Defense are particularly strong, and he is always happy to enter a sharp Sicilian Defense when the position calls for chaos.
Rivalries and Grudge Matches
No biography of Matlakov would be complete without mentioning his extended wars against other online elites. He has faced Daniel Naroditsky 51 times in Blitz, a rivalry that has been more educational than pleasant, with 12 wins and 8 draws against 31 losses. He has also traded blows with Oleksandr Bortnyk 36 times, and found a friendlier matchup against Alexander Rustemov, where he dominates 22 wins to 6 losses.
Playing Style and Quirky Numbers
The data paints a picture of a relentless fighter. Matlakov reaches the endgame in about 90 percent of his games and averages more than 86 moves per win. His comeback rate of 91.24 percent means that even when he loses a piece, the game is far from over. He is also a morning person, at least in chess terms: his best win rate by hour of day is 80 percent at 08:00, and Tuesday is his lucky day with a 64.62 percent win rate.
Signature Stats
- Peak Blitz rating: 3148 (2026-08-20)
- Blitz record: 1148 wins, 531 losses, 240 draws
- Longest winning streak: 11 games
- Comeback rate: 91.24 percent
- Preferred time control: Blitz