Grandmaster Petr Kiryakov - The Blitz Maestro
Petr Kiryakov, also known by the formidable username GM_Petrovich, is a force to be reckoned with on the 64 squares. A Grandmaster officially titled by FIDE, Petr has carved a legacy mainly in the lightning-fast world of Blitz chess, where his rating peaked at a scorching 2808 in May 2024 — a number so high it probably causes computers to overheat.
From Humble Beginnings to Blitz Brilliance
Beginning with a modest rating of 1200 back in 2014, Petr's journey resembles a wild rollercoaster but with more wins and fewer screams. By 2017, he soared through the 2600s in Blitz, delighting fans with a dazzling blend of speed and strategy. Not one to be pigeonholed, his performance in Bullet and Rapid chess also shines bright, boasting peak ratings of 2612 and 2098 respectively.
A Tactical Thunderbolt
With a comeback rate higher than a caffeinated chess ninja (85.67%), Petr displays an uncanny ability to turn the tides even when down a piece — winning nearly 59% of such gritty battles. Opponents often find themselves bewildered by his steadfast endgame skills, with an endgame frequency of nearly 83%, meaning he’s not just fast, but also masterful in the long haul.
Playing Style: A Symphony of Stamina and Speed
Petr’s games tend to be epics, averaging almost 75 moves per win and over 94 per loss, reflecting endurance and deep calculation. His White pieces smile with a 62.5% win rate, while his Black pieces party with a solid 58.4% success. He’s known to avoid early resignations — only bowing out in less than 1% of games prematurely — proving that giving up isn’t in his vocabulary.
Signature Openings and Statistics
Interestingly, Petr’s favorite opening is so Top Secret that it appears as “Top Secret” across formats, with a striking Blitz win rate just shy of 60% over more than 3,400 games. Should you encounter a French Defense Classical Steinitz Variation, beware: his record there is less stellar, but hey, even legends have blind spots.
Recent Battles in the Arena
In his most recent clash on November 12, 2024, Petr executed a masterful victory with the Black pieces, clinching the game by resignation after precise play in a nuanced Queen’s Pawn Opening (Chigorin Variation). However, even a Grandmaster isn’t immune to defeat — his latest loss came in May 2025 on time, reminding everyone that chess is as much about the clock as the pieces.
The Human Factor
With a tilt factor of 8, Petr occasionally feels the psychological heat, but his best fighting hours are oddly around 2 AM — when most players are asleep or dreaming of unstoppable attacks. His win rates fluctuate by day and hour, with Thursdays being his luckiest day (winning over 63% of games), and the early morning hours being his prime time to unleash tactical fireworks.
The Man Behind the Moves
Whether you call him Petr or GM_Petrovich, he embodies the passion and persistence that make chess thrilling. An opponent to many, a legend to some, and a puzzle to all who try to decipher his unstoppable Blitz style, Petr Kiryakov continues to push the limits of human chess prowess — one swift move at a time.