The Speed-Fueled World of Sinisa S Popov
Sinisa S Popov, better known to online opponents as Popovbm, is a FIDE Master who treats the chessboard like a racetrack. Although his preferred time control is bullet, his real legacy is built on an astonishing volume of blitz battles. With more than 22,000 analyzed games and over 12,700 blitz wins, he has essentially played enough chess to fill several lifetimes, often before breakfast.
A Blitz Marathoner
Popov's online career began in late 2017 with a modest blitz rating, but he quickly turned into a 2600-level force. His rating journey is a perfect demonstration of persistence, with streaks that include a 23-game winning run.
He is not just a volume player. When he delivers the first check, he wins 63 percent of the time, and his comeback rate of 86 percent means he is dangerous even when the position looks bleak. Opponents who relax after winning a piece often learn a painful lesson.
Opening Lab
As White, Popov is a devoted 1.d4 player. He has crushed the Grünfeld Defense Counterthrust Variation with a 64 percent win rate across 800 games, and he is equally at home against the Slav Defense and Benko Gambit. As Black, he favors the Döry Defense, the Bogo-Indian Defense, and the sharp Italian Game: Two Knights Defense. His opening repertoire is a mix of principled chess and offbeat surprises, which keeps opponents guessing.
Known Rivals
No player enters Popov's world without a few familiar faces. His most frequent dance partner is michael124667, who has faced him 257 times in a rivalry that is as intense as it is respectful. Popov holds a narrow edge with 126 wins, but michael124667 has taken plenty of scalps along the way. He has also tangled over 100 times with sinisa75 and trainingbg81, proving that even online chess can feel like a local club.
Fun Facts
- His bullet peak of 2483 came after a blazing run in October 2023, including a perfect 10-0 score with the Queen's Gambit Declined as White.
- He is most dangerous in the early hours, with his best winning percentage coming at 1:00 AM.
- He delivers the first check in over half of his games, and the queen is his favorite checking piece.
- His longest losing streak is 10 games, but he always bounces back, often with a winning streak more than twice as long.