About Matthew Tikhomirov (MatthewVT)
Matthew Tikhomirov — known online as MatthewVT — is a blitz specialist with a taste for tactical fireworks and long, bloody endgames. Fast on the clock and fond of gambits, Matthew transformed from a curious club player into a lightning-fast strategist who’s logged thousands of ranked games. Expect tricky opening choices, stubborn endgames, and occasional cheeky sacrifices that make spectators spill their coffee.
- Preferred time control: Blitz — the heartbeats-per-move format where Matthew shines.
- Playing style: tactical, endgame-savvy, prefers long decisive battles (avg decisive length ≈ 77 moves in 2025).
- SEO keywords: Matthew Tikhomirov, MatthewVT, blitz chess, openings, tactics, chess profile.
Career Highlights
MatthewVT’s climb through the blitz ladder is dramatic and consistent — a player who thrives under time pressure and has racked up an impressive body of work.
- Over 5,800 recorded blitz games (wins + losses + draws) — a true blitz grinder with experience you can’t fake.
- Peak blitz rating: 2647 (2025-11-10) (reached in late 2025) — a milestone that rewards stamina and tactical sharpness.
- Longest winning streak: 32 games; notable resilience with a comeback rate of 76.35%.
- Interactive mini-chart of rating progression:
Openings & Repertoire (Blitz focus)
MatthewVT mixes offbeat surprises with solid mainlines. In blitz he often chooses openings that create imbalance and practical problems for the opponent.
- Unknown / unorthodox systems — 462 games, win rate ~79.65%.
- Amar Gambit — 280 games, win rate ~56.07%.
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation — 181 games, win rate ~54.14%.
- Scandinavian Defense — 157 games, win rate ~54.78%.
- Amazon Attack — 150 games, win rate ~54.67%.
For curiosity: try the London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation — it’s a secret trick Matthew uses in faster games.
Want to study a representative blitz game? Play through this sample:
Performance Patterns & Playing Style
Matthew’s statistical profile reads like a love letter to long, tactical fights:
- White win rate: 57.5% — he likes the initiative and uses it well.
- Black win rate: 54.21% — comfortable playing defense and counterattacking.
- Avg moves per decisive game: ~64 (wins) — many of his wins come after long maneuvering and a well-executed endgame plan.
- Endgame frequency: 66.82% — don’t expect short draws; Matthew pushes for endings.
- Early resignation rate: 5.03% — he respects the clock but fights on in unclear positions.
- Tactical resilience: Win rate after losing material ≈ 51.88% — a stubborn comeback artist.
When to Challenge MatthewVT
If you’re plotting an upset, timing matters — Matthew’s win rates vary by hour and day.
- Best day by win rate: Tuesday (~59.08%) and Wednesday (~57.44%).
- Top hours to face him (high win rates): 15:00 (62.81%), 20:00 (61.76%), and 09:00 is famously his "best time to play" according to his stats.
- Psychological tip: a tilt factor of 13 — treat losses carefully; he’s human and may wobble after a streak.
Notable Opponents & Rivalries
MatthewVT has battle-tested rivalries that often become instant highlight reels.
- Most-played: erm_aschkutually — 42 games (close rivalry).
- Dominant runs vs: wildas1 (29 games), winirmoves (21 games), dumbozo_0elo (17 games).
- Tricky matchups: Aleksey Ivlev — historically tough opponent (record shows many losses here).
Fun Facts & Quirks
- Comes back often: impressive comeback rate of 76.35% — expect late-game theatrics.
- Average first capture on move ~7 — he often builds tension before the first trades.
- If you beat him, chances are you caught him in a 13-game losing stretch once — grim, but true.
- Likes to mix gambits with solid defenses — equal parts chaos and discipline.
Why Follow MatthewVT?
For fans of dynamic blitz chess, Matthew is a compelling creator of complicated positions that reward both pattern recognition and stamina. Whether you’re studying openings, tactics, or how to survive a time scramble, his games are entertaining and instructive.
- Ideal for students of tactics, endgame lovers, and players who enjoy sacrificial themes.
- Regular improvement over years with clear peaks — great case study in practice + volume.
Challenge & Connect
Ready to test yourself? MatthewVT welcomes tough blitz matches (and the occasional friendly trash talk). Best to challenge around his strong hours — or catch him early at 09:00 if you want his freshest opening prep.
- Sample invite: "Blitz 3+0? — let's dance!"
- Study, spar, or watch — his games are a small blitzing masterclass.