Evgeny Polkovnikov: Blitz Warrior of the 1.Nf3 Empire
Evgeny Polkovnikov, known online as EPolkovnikov, is a chess.com phenomenon. Since April 2020, he has played more than 27,000 rated blitz games, climbing from the 1500s to a peak blitz rating of 2523 (2025-03-06) and earning a reputation as one of the most relentless, consistent, and delightfully unpredictable attackers on the platform.
A Blitz Heart with a Bullet Label
His profile may whisper "bullet" as the preferred time control, but the numbers roar blitz. Evgeny's blitz rating graph reads like a mountain range with a clear upward trend, hitting 2523 in March 2025. His bullet rating also climbed to 2257, but it is in the blitz arena, with its tens of thousands of games, where he truly built his empire.
The Knight Who Loved f3
If you have ever faced EPolkovnikov, you already know the first move. Year after year, his first move frequency is identical: 1.Nf3. He uses it to slip into the English Opening, the Réti Opening, or the King's Indian Attack, keeping opponents guessing while never guessing himself.
With the black pieces, he is equally loyal. Against 1.e4 he almost always plays the French Defense, cycling through the Advance, Exchange, Winawer, and MacCutcheon variations with the dedication of a scholar. Against 1.d4, he reaches for the Grünfeld Defense, particularly the Exchange Variation, which he has faced over 1,280 times. Some players fear sharp theory; Evgeny simply drowns it in volume.
The Grind and the Rivalries
Evgeny's longevity has created epic rivalries. His most frequent opponent is Tom Borvander, whom he has battled 152 times, holding a solid plus score. His toughest foe, however, has been aflatunmamedov, who has won 55 of their 101 encounters. Even a 2500-rated grinder needs a rival to keep the fire burning.
His psychological profile is fascinating: after dropping a piece, he still manages to win 45.34% of the time, and his comeback rate sits at 85.84%. His longest winning streak reached 15, while his longest losing streak stretched to 11, proof that even machines tilt occasionally.
A Repertoire That Defies Convention
Evgeny's opening stats read like a treasure map for the curious. As White, he has played the Hungarian Opening: Wiedenhagen-Beta Gambit over 2,200 times, scoring just above 50%. He also loves the Colle Rhamphorhynchus Variation, a line so rare that most players meet it once and spend the rest of their lives wondering what happened.
His games average around 74 moves, and he reaches endgames in 80% of his battles. He rarely resigns early, and his preferred closing time is 22:00, when his win rate jumps. If you see him in your queue at 10 PM, maybe just resign now and save everyone the trouble.
Fast Facts
- Over 12,700 blitz wins and counting
- Peak blitz rating of 2523 (2025-03-06)
- Longest winning streak: 15 games
- Favorite first move as White: 1.Nf3
- Favorite defense as Black: French Defense
- Best time of day to face him: never, especially not at 22:00