Igor Khenkin - The Grandmaster Mystery
Meet Igor Khenkin, also known in the chess circles as Starozhil. A Grandmaster by title and a legend in his own blitz time control, Igor dazzles the board with a unique fighting spirit and an uncanny knack for making comebacks that would make even the toughest opponents question their life choices.
In 2025, Igor hit a blazing blitz peak of 2729—not just a number but a statement. He’s played nearly 2,000 blitz games, winning almost as many as he lost, proving that in chess, sometimes the battle is just as thrilling as the victory. His bullet games? Sharp and swift, with a top rating of 2545 and an almost casual win rate of about 48%.
When it comes to openings, Igor keeps his methods Top Secret. With a 42.6% win rate in blitz using these mysterious lines, he clearly knows how to keep his opponents guessing and scratching their heads. His longest winning streak of 17 games hints at moments when everything just clicks—almost like the chess board is a comedy stage, and Igor is the star improv performer dispatching foes with a wink and a smirk.
Igor’s psychological resilience is nothing short of awe-inspiring. With a comeback rate of over 90% and a perfect 100% win rate after losing a piece, he’s the ultimate underdog story every time he loses material. Opponents should beware: when Igor is down, he’s far from out.
Known for his endgame prowess (he reaches endgames in 80.5% of his games), Igor’s average moves per win touch 84, suggesting that he enjoys the long chess marathons that test endurance and wit alike. Whether playing white or black, he’s nearly equally effective, keeping a strong winning ratio on both sides of the board.
Off the board, Igor might be the calm strategist, but in play, he’s a rollercoaster of tactical precision and entertaining unpredictability. So if you see Starozhil on the opponent list, buckle up—it’s going to be one wild ride through the labyrinths of chess brilliance, sprinkled with humor and heart.