Pierre Laurent-Paoli, aka "Pilopa"
Grandmaster Extraordinaire and Blitz Virtuoso
Hailing from the hallowed halls of chess mastery, Pierre Laurent-Paoli has earned the prestigious Grandmaster title from FIDE, solidifying his place in the pantheon of chess legends. Known in the chess world by the enigmatic moniker "Pilopa," this player blends deep strategy with lightning-fast reflexes and a tactical mind sharp enough to slice through the toughest defenses.
Pilopa's love affair with blitz chess is nothing short of epic. Over thousands of games, he has amassed a staggering 4,043 wins against 2,954 losses and 668 draws in blitz alone, with an electric peak rating soaring to an astonishing 2890 as of December 2024. With a typical game averaging around 79 moves when victorious, Pilopa is not a one-move wonder; patience and endurance are key ingredients in his formula of success.
But don’t be fooled—while blitz is his playground, Pilopa has also dabbled deftly in bullet with a peak rating of 2715 and solid rapid performances. White pieces tend to favor him a bit more, giving Pilopa a juicy 55% win rate, while even with black, he's no pushover, securing victories in more than half of his battles.
Opening Repertoire Highlights
- Blitz Openings: Pilopa navigates complex openings like the Nimzowitsch Defense and the Benko Gambit with grace, boasting win rates over 55% in these lines. His Kings Indian Defense Orthodox stands out with a remarkable 63.64% win rate—clearly a secret weapon.
- Bullet Favorites: The Pirc Defense is Pilopa’s playground here, where he triumphs nearly 78% of the time. And if you dare face his Slav Defense Modern Triangle System, prepare to be shut out—zero losses in six games!
- Rapid and Daily: While less frequent, his sharp precision in rapid and daily formats includes a flawless 100% record in several niche openings, proving he's no one-trick pony.
Psychological Edge & Style
Pilopa is famously patient—not only does he average over 79 moves per win, but his endgames are a particular forte, appearing in over 85% of his matches. Known for spectacular comebacks, he has an 87% comeback rate that would make a Hollywood scriptwriter jealous. However, even the best have their off days: his tilt factor suggests he occasionally gets a bit emotional, especially after losses.
He tends to shine in the early hours around 1 AM (perfect for night owls and insomniacs alike), with a win rate reaching 60% at this ghostly hour. But beware: his worst time to play seems to hover around late night or early morning hours when focus is most elusive.
Recent Battles
In a recent thrilling encounter on June 1, 2025, Pilopa triumphed over BSWPaulsen using the classy Caro-Kann Defense, wrapping up victory in 17 moves with a resignation from his opponent. Just one day prior, the Grandmaster outmaneuvered none other than Nigel Short in the Ruy Lopez, proving Pilopa’s mettle against heavyweights.
But as every chess saga goes, Pilopa sometimes meets his match. On June 3, 2025, he suffered a hard-fought defeat by FaustinoOro in a Sicilian Defense Canal Attack, a testament that even Grandmasters have battles that slip through their tactical fingers.
Fun Fact
Despite a fierce competitive streak, Pilopa has mastered the art of the "gentle resignation" after winning nearly 2,607 games this way—because every great champion knows when to pinch and when to let go.
Whether blitzing through the ranks or strategizing deep in endgames, Pierre Laurent-Paoli remains a formidable force to reckon with—proof that chess is both an art and a thrilling rollercoaster ride.