Denis Khayrullin: The International Master with a Blitzing Passion
Meet Denis Khayrullin, a fierce competitor on the 64 squares who proudly holds the title of International Master awarded by FIDE. Known in the chess world as topalovkramnik, Denis has a knack for blitz chess, where his rating soared from a humble 1363 in 2017 to a lightning-fast peak blitz rating of 2569 in April 2025. If chess were a sprint, Denis would be Usain Bolt, outpacing opponents with a unique blend of speed, strategy, and just a dash of cheeky ingenuity.
With over 1200 blitz games played and a winning tally of 630 matches, Denis’s style is as relentless as it is entertaining. Not one to back down, he boasts a comeback rate near 87%, proving he’s a formidable foe even when the odds look grim. And while his longest winning streak hits a respectable seven games, Denis knows the value of perseverance, surviving losing streaks without losing his cool—although he admits to a modest tilt factor of 8, because hey, nobody’s perfect!
Denis’s strategic arsenal reveals a fondness for the Neo-Grünfeld Defense Exchange Variation and a ninja-like precision with less common openings such as the Neo Grünfeld and English Opening Neo Catalan Defense. His bullet rating isn’t too shabby either, reaching a blistering 2675—that’s practically chess on turbo mode.
On the personal side, Denis thrives playing around 10 AM to 2 PM and surprisingly fires on all cylinders late into the night, with his best hour being 10 PM—because what’s more poetic than delivering a checkmate as the clock strikes ten? When he’s not launching brilliant attacks or defending like a seasoned veteran, he enjoys analyzing his games, particularly savoring victories concluded by checkmate—a delightful 115 wins by that purest form of triumph.
Of course, no chess career is without drama. His most recent documented game was a thrilling victory by checkmate, proving Denis’s flair for the dramatic finish still shines as brightly as ever. Opponents beware: whether it’s your favorite Sicilian or a surprise Neo Grünfeld, Denis Khayrullin plays with the precision of a craftsman and the passion of a true chess warrior.
In short, Denis is a chess player who combines skill, speed, and a pinch of humor—always ready to turn the board on its head and deliver a spectacle worth watching. So next time you face him, prepare for a fight, a laugh, and maybe… a dazzling checkmate.