Avatar of Patrick Wolff

Patrick Wolff GM

Username: PGW-in-SF

Location: San Francisco

Playing Since: 2017-11-27 (Inactive)

Wow Factor: ♟

Chess.com

Blitz: 2785
242W / 84L / 41D
Bullet: 2366
283W / 160L / 15D

Overview

Patrick Wolff — also known online as PGW-in-SF — is a FIDE Grandmaster who has built a reputation as a razor-sharp blitz specialist. Comfortable at blistering time controls and fond of tactical complications, Wolff blends classical training with modern online instincts. This short biography highlights his style, memorable runs, and the openings he favors when the clock starts ticking.

Preferred time control: Blitz. Notable peaks include a Blitz peak late in 2023 and a very strong Bullet presence as well.

Career highlights

  • Earned the Grandmaster title and became widely respected for fast, accurate blitz play.
  • Reached a Blitz peak of 2800 (Dec 27, 2023) and a Bullet peak the following day — milestones that underline his online dominance.
  • Longest winning streak: 23 consecutive games — a run that would make any coffee-fueled marathon proud.
  • Known for dramatic comebacks and a high comeback rate — opponents beware when they think the game is over.

Playing style & strengths

Wolff’s games are a mix of sharp tactical seeds and marathon endgames. He tends to play long, decisive games and often grinds until the opponent blinks.

  • Style: Tactical, tenacious, and endgame-savvy (high endgame frequency).
  • Avg moves per win: ~69 — games often finish after deep middlegame or endgame play.
  • Tactical awareness: strong comeback ability and a solid win-rate even after material setbacks.
  • Psychology: loves the late-night arena — best results at unconventional hours and a tilt factor that shows he’s human like the rest of us.

Opening repertoire (what to expect)

Patrick favors flexible, modern setups and is happy to steer games into both sharp and strategic channels depending on the clock. Below are openings he plays frequently and with good success.

  • Modern and dynamic systems — versatile and tricky for opponents.
  • Sicilian lines (including Moscow variations) — excellent results in blitz.
  • Caro-Kann and French structures — solid, counterpunching options.
  • Surprising successes with the Czech Defense — a standout blitz win-rate (see Czech Defense).

Notable streaks & habits

  • Longest winning streak: 23 games; longest losing streak: 9.
  • Current losing streak (as of last update): 3 — everyone has off-days, even GMs.
  • Time-of-day quirks: exceptional results late at night and early morning; peak “best time” reported around 11:00 (local).
  • Preferred time control: Blitz — fast decisions, faster thrills.

Fun facts & quick stats

  • Username: PGW-in-SF — expect a playful but fierce opponent tag.
  • Favorite tactic: turning tiny advantages into endgame wins — patience wins points.
  • Most-played opponents online include drgruenfeld, jp_btw and samjaguar1234 — rivalries that have produced memorable battles. See a profile: samjaguar1234.
  • Peak ratings (highlights): 2800 (2023-12-27) and 2403 (2023-12-28).

Interactive snapshots

Track form and view a simple timeline of his Blitz rise.

  • Performance chart:
    Blitz Rating2017201820192020202327661261YearBlitz Rating
  • Sample blitz miniature (replayable):

Summary

Patrick Wolff (PGW-in-SF) is a Grandmaster who thrives when the clock is short and the pressure is high. With a mix of tactical sharpness, deep endgame skill, and an appetite for online battles, he remains a player to watch — and to avoid playing if you’re short on time or coffee. Follow his games, study his opening choices, and prepare for the blitz storm.


🆚 Opponent Insights

Most Played Opponents
DrGruenfeld 9W / 10L / 0D View Games
jp_btw 10W / 8L / 1D View Games
hibarunakamura 7W / 8L / 1D View Games
samjaguar1234 16W / 0L / 0D View Games
thechesschannel 10W / 4L / 0D View Games

Rating

Year Bullet Blitz Rapid Daily
2023 2304 2766
2020 2474
2019 2452
2018 1261
2017 1261
Rating by Year2017201820192020202327661261YearRatingBlitz

Stats by Year

Year White Black Moves
2023 155W / 83L / 7D 149W / 82L / 14D 70.9
2020 24W / 11L / 9D 26W / 11L / 5D 82.6
2019 88W / 31L / 8D 87W / 26L / 13D 75.2
2018 3W / 0L / 0D 3W / 0L / 0D 43.8
2017 4W / 1L / 0D 6W / 0L / 0D 47.0

Openings: Most Played

Bullet Opening Games Wins Losses Draws Win Rate
Modern 60 44 13 3 73.3%
Nimzo-Larsen Attack 33 19 13 1 57.6%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation 25 16 9 0 64.0%
Amar Gambit 23 16 6 1 69.6%
Caro-Kann Defense 23 15 6 2 65.2%
Australian Defense 17 6 9 2 35.3%
French Defense: Exchange Variation 16 9 7 0 56.2%
Blackburne Shilling Gambit 14 8 6 0 57.1%
Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation 14 6 8 0 42.9%
Czech Defense 13 10 2 1 76.9%
Blitz Opening Games Wins Losses Draws Win Rate
Modern 69 46 16 7 66.7%
Scandinavian Defense 19 12 6 1 63.2%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit 15 11 4 0 73.3%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation 14 10 3 1 71.4%
Caro-Kann Defense 12 7 1 4 58.3%
French Defense 11 6 4 1 54.5%
Czech Defense 10 9 1 0 90.0%
Pirc Defense: Classical Variation 9 5 3 1 55.6%
French Defense: Exchange Variation 9 4 3 2 44.4%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation 7 4 1 2 57.1%

🔥 Streaks

Streak Longest Current
Winning 23 0
Losing 9 3
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