Sherzod Khodjimatov - National Master Extraordinaire
Meet Sherzod Khodjimatov, a chess virtuoso who proudly holds the esteemed title of National Master. Known in chess circles as matenitian, Sherzod has been making waves on the 64 squares since at least 2012, steadily climbing the ranks and routinely outwitting opponents from bullet blitz to classical games.
Sherzod’s journey is a blend of resilience, strategy, and occasional mind-boggling sacrifices (only the brave dare!). With a peak blitz rating soaring to a jaw-dropping 2691 in early 2025, and a bullet rating bumping up to 2652 later that same year, Sherzod’s speed and calculation skills are nothing short of legendary.
Their historic games tease the imagination - needing just under three minutes per bullet game, Sherzod’s typical winning streaks can reach a dazzling 24 games in a row, proving that sometimes lightning really does strike twice... or twenty-four times. Currently riding a lucky seven-win streak, Sherzod's recent games include slick victories by resignation and timely time-control wins – showing all the hallmarks of a master who knows when to pounce.
Playing Style & Psychological Mastery
Ever the tactician, Sherzod boasts an impressive 86% comeback rate after setbacks, demonstrating not only iron-clad nerves but also dogged determination to never surrender the board. Endgames are Sherzod’s playground, with a frequency of almost 80% in games reaching those critical final stages. A true endgame specialist – who might even consider resigning early, but only about 1.5% of the time (because patience is a virtue, but sometimes you gotta preserve energy for the next match!).
Interestingly, Sherzod’s highest win rates tend to manifest in the late-night hours around 2 AM, when the rest of the world sleeps but matenitian is busy outmaneuvering rivals. It seems the chessboard is their moonlit stage, where the magic unfolds.
Notable Openings & Favourite Gambits
Sherzod’s opening repertoire is delightfully eclectic but effective: from the stealthy Top Secret battles to sharp sideline duels embracing Closed Sicilian Defense and the menacing Sicilian Defense French Variation. Win rates in these lines often flirt with, or exceed, a commendable 70%, a testament to their deep preparation and love for rich, dynamic positions.
Recent Adventures on the Board
In one of Sherzod’s latest battles, playing White as matenitian, they danced through Owen’s Defense with a combination that left their opponent waving the white flag at move 17. Another delightful game featured Sherzod’s firm grasp in a Philidor Defense, winning on time after a tense struggle. Yet, like any worthy player, even Sherzod must occasionally face the music, such as a tough loss in a Caro-Kann Two Knights Attack – but we won’t count a single stumble in the grand scheme.
Whether you want to witness fast-paced bullet brilliance or solid, strategic blitz battles, Sherzod Khodjimatov is a name to remember. Their chess journey is one of commitment, cunning, and just a hint of that “I’m two steps ahead” swagger.