Overview
Denis Nikolajev (also known online as Selihov) is a fast-paced, tactically sharp Blitz specialist who prefers the heat of quick time controls and long strings of dramatic comebacks. Known for mixing solid opening preparation with sudden, inventive tactics, Denis climbed to a peak Blitz rating of 2675 (2026-02-28) and kept opponents guessing from move one.
- Username: Selihov
- Preferred time control: Blitz
- Peak Blitz highlight: reached an all-time high in early 2026
Career highlights
Denis's career reads like a marathon of rapid-fire skirmishes: long decisive games, an impressive comeback rate, and several long winning runs. He has turned Blitz into his workshop — practicing tactical shots one bullet bolt at a time and polishing openings into reliable weapons.
- Peak Blitz performance and momentum leading into 2026 (see rating chart below):
- Remarkable comeback ability: a Comeback Rate around 86.8% — if the position looks lost, don’t close the tab yet.
- Longest documented winning streak: 11 games; longest losing streak: 14 (he bounces back fast).
Opening repertoire — the short version
Denis favors flexible, sometimes offbeat systems that create dynamic imbalances. He is comfortable both as White and Black, but his Blitz success often comes from well-rehearsed lines he knows down to tactical motifs.
- As Black: Scandinavian Defense — a go-to with lots of practical scoring (solid win rate across hundreds of games).
- Surprise weapons: Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation, Duchamp Variation — one of his most successful white-turned-winning lines.
- Also plays: QGA: 3.e3 c5, Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, and the trusty London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation depending on mood and opponent.
Playing style & quirks
Expect long tactical skirmishes (an average decisive game length well above most Blitz norms) and late-game scrambles. Denis combines a high endgame frequency with a stubborn refusal to accept defeat — when material slips away he often finds practical chances.
- Avg moves per win: about 75 — his wins usually end after long fights.
- Endgame frequency is high — Denis converts small advantages with patience.
- Early resignation is rare in the sense that he’s seen making dramatic comebacks — Comeback Rate: ~86.8%.
- Best time of day to catch him online: around 17:00 local (prime Blitz hours).
- Psychological note (fun): tilt factor exists — but it’s the kind of tilt that yields creative blunders and surprise victories in equal measure.
Notable opponents & records
Denis has a long list of familiar adversaries in his archive. Some opponents show up repeatedly — perfect for rivalry stories and spicy rematches.
- Most-played opponents: rix_45 (29 games), helmh0ltz (22 games), otari999 (21 games)
- Sample head-to-head: vs rix_45: 11 wins, 11 losses, 7 draws — a true coin-flip rivalry.
- Notable positive records: vs antropterix (10–5) and vs purehorses (8–6).
Relive a recent tactical scrap: Tactical Twist
Sample game & study material
Here’s a compact Blitz-style sequence you can load and study — sharp, direct, and instructive for typical Selihov tactics.
- Replayable mini-PGN:
- Opening study hint: study the pawn breaks around move 10–20 — transitions from middlegame tactics to endgame technique are Denis’s signature.
Extras & tools
Want to explore trends? Start with the interactive chart above, then dive into chosen openings using the linked terms. For a quick read: search for "Denis Nikolajev Selihov Blitz Scandinavian Nimzo-Indian" — those keywords will surface much of his repertoire and notable games.
- Rating history visual:
- Quick glossary links: Scandinavian Defense • Nimzo-Indian Defense • London System
Parting line
Denis 'Selihov' Nikolajev is the sort of player who makes Blitz feel like a serialized thriller: openings set the stage, middlegames write the plot twists, and endgames deliver the finale. If you queue him up, brace for a fight — and don’t be surprised if you learn something from one of his late-game rescues.