Oleksandr Bortnyk Clinches Victory in Bullet Brawl for Second Consecutive Week!
GM Oleksandr Bortnyk Claims Victory in Bullet Brawl for Second Consecutive Week
March 14, 2026 — In a thrilling showdown that captivated chess enthusiasts around the globe, Grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk triumphed in the latest edition of the Bullet Brawl, securing his victory with an impressive score of 161 points. This marks Bortnyk’s second consecutive win in the high-stakes tournament, and he pocketed the $400 first prize for the 16th time in his career.
The Bullet Brawl, a weekly arena hosted by Chess.com, attracted a formidable lineup of 156 titled players, including fellow Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Parham Maghsoodloo. Bortnyk’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he dominated the competition with a remarkable eight-game winning streak that propelled him to the top.
Erigaisi, who finished in second place with 152 points, will take home $250. International Masters Renato Terry and Yoseph Taher secured third and fourth places, earning $150 and $100, respectively. Additionally, FM Anastasia Avramidou once again claimed the $100 prize for the best female player.
The tournament kicked off with Bortnyk facing a tough loss against Maghsoodloo in his first game. However, he quickly rebounded, scoring an astonishing 16.5 out of 18 in subsequent matches. His strategic prowess was evident as he expertly navigated the Jobava-Rapport London System, showcasing his world-class understanding of attacking patterns.
Erigaisi also started strong, achieving a remarkable accuracy score of 98.1 in his opening game against GM Jose Martinez. The competition intensified as Bortnyk and Erigaisi faced off, with Bortnyk ultimately emerging victorious in their initial encounter. However, Erigaisi claimed victory in their next two duels, setting the stage for a fierce battle.
As the tournament progressed, Bortnyk’s resilience shone through. Despite trailing Erigaisi by 10 points in the final quarter, he unleashed his best bullet chess, culminating in a decisive eight-game streak that included wins over top players like Terry and Arjun. His final game against Erigaisi ended in just 15 moves, thanks to a brilliant knight sacrifice that sealed his victory.
With three wins already in 2026, Bortnyk has matched his total titles from the previous two years and is on track to surpass his seven titles from 2024. The next Bullet Brawl is set to commence on Saturday, March 21, at 12 p.m. ET/18:00 CET, promising another round of exhilarating chess action.
For full standings and game reviews, visit Chess.com.