Max Melnikov

Max Melnikov - The Tenacious Chess Crusader

Known in the online chess realm by the username Geterobizon, Max Melnikov is not your average chess player—he's a strategic adventurer on 64 squares, navigating the battlefield with a unique blend of grit, humor, and a penchant for comebacks.

Rising Through The Ranks

Starting with a modest rapid rating just north of 1000 back in 2020, Max has steadily climbed the ladder, peaking impressively at 1420 in early 2024. His journey is a testament to perseverance, patience, and probably a few cups of strong coffee during those long endgames where he thrives. Max's average rapid game length of nearly 60 moves per win shows he’s not one for quick finishes—he likes to squeeze every last drop of opportunity out of the position.

Playing Style & Personality

Max's style is a curious mix of stubborn endurance and tactical magic. With an astounding comeback rate of 76.5%, it's clear he’s not the type to hand you a gift. Losing a piece? No problem—he still manages to win 45.5% of those games, making opponents think twice before snatching material early.

His games often get theatrical; while some players resign early, Max has a low early resignation rate (just under 3%), fighting bravely until the bitter end and making every move count. In fact, his endgame frequency is over 53%, showing his love for the marathon finish where nerves and technique can turn the tide.

Favorite Openings

When it comes to openings, Max shows strong affection for classic and versatile setups. The Queen's Gambit Accepted - Old Variation is his playground, boasting a stellar 62.4% win rate over 157 battles fought. Not far behind is the intense and ever-popular Sicilian Defense, where he navigates variations such as the Old Sicilian and Bowdler Attack with over 50% success. However, the tricky Alapin Sicilian and Queen's Gambit Declined Modern variations remind him that even warriors have challenges to overcome.

The Psychological Chess Mastermind

Max’s mental game is just as interesting as his moves. Despite the occasional "tilt" (his tilt factor is fairly low at 10), he remains consistent and is known for playing his best chess in the evening hours, with 6 PM being his personal prime time for victories. Interestingly, Sundays seem to bring out his best winning streak, while he’s not a huge fan of late-night hours—who is, really?

Champion of the Digital Boards

Across well over 2,900 rapid games, Max's record stands almost perfectly balanced with 1441 wins against 1418 losses and 95 draws. A fierce competitor, he’s no stranger to long streaks—his longest winning run is 8 games, while his longest losing streak is a challenging 10 games, showing both his resilience and the fluctuating highs and lows of chess battle.

Recent Battles and Notable Moments

Even in recent times, Max continues to captivate with hard-fought victories. In a thrilling game played in May 2025, he demonstrated his strategic prowess by patiently outmaneuvering opponents before securing wins by resignation—a testament to his psychological edge.

Summation

Max Melnikov, aka Geterobizon, is the living proof that chess is a game of constant growth, where every loss seeds the next big win. He crafts his narrative one move at a time, mixing tactical brilliance with stubborn defense and that rare spirit that refuses to quit. A player to watch, and a personality that brings warmth and wit to the cool, calculative world of chess.

So, next time you face Max on the digital battlefield, don’t be surprised if you find yourself undone—not just by his moves, but by the indomitable spirit behind them.