Introduction
Matt Pitlock (aka PitlockM) is a determined and sometimes mischievous chess player known for fast instincts and a fondness for sharp, tactical play. A regular on blitz boards, Matt blends practical opening choices with long, grindy endgames. This profile highlights his style, favorite lines, rivals, and a few stats-packed curiosities for fans and opponents alike.
Playing style
Matt prefers Blitz but is comfortable across all time controls. He combines aggressive opening choices with patience in the middlegame and a surprising appetite for long endgames. Opponents should expect early skirmishes and late drama.
- Preferred time control: Blitz
- Avg moves per win: 60
- Endgame frequency: high — Matt does not shy away from long technical fights
- Psychological notes: a decent comeback rate and a small tilt factor, so strategy can be as much about nerves as calculation
Career highlights
Matt has climbed and dipped in typical human fashion, producing memorable runs and several peak months. He has recorded standout performances in Rapid and Daily play while keeping Blitz as a steady favorite.
- Notable peaks: 1690 (2023-06-13) and 1635 (2025-08-20) appear among the player high points
- Longest winning streak: 11 games
- Resilience: strong comeback rate after setbacks
- Snapshot chart:
Opening repertoire
Matt is an opening pragmatist. He often employs the Caro-Kann and loves to mix in offbeat traps and gambits when the moment calls for risk.
- Common choices as Black: Caro-Kann Defense, Scandinavian Defense, Blackburne Shilling Gambit
- Common choices as White: Amazon Attack and aggressive Queen's Gambit setups
- Strong Sicilian results in faster games, and Caro-Kann features heavily across time controls
- Sample game skeleton from a typical Ruy Lopez encounter:
Rivalries and notable opponents
Matt has faced a number of repeat opponents. His most-played rival is a familiar figure on the server.
- Most-played opponent: wallypelton — a long history of fights and tactical skirmishes
- Other frequent opponents: hallance, pitlock (yes, an ironic namesake), mikelanzetta
- Memorable match: Decisive Clash
Fun facts and quirks
- Best time of day to play: early morning, often around 06:00
- Hours with perfect win snapshots: some odd hours show 100 percent in limited samples — treat with caution
- Average first capture occurs around move 6 — Matt likes to keep the tension before committing
- Early resignation rate is low in spirit but shows up in the data as a minor phenomenon
How to follow
For a running view of results and live games try the in-platform profile link. Expect tactical fireworks in Blitz, deep ideas in Rapid, and marathon games in Daily.
- View profile: Matt Pitlock
- Explore a favorite opponent: wallypelton
Closing line
Matt Pitlock is the kind of player who will surprise you with an early trick, outplay you in the middlegame, and then politely outlast you in the endgame. If you meet him over the board, bring coffee for the long haul and a sharp tactical eye.