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:
- 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 |
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 |