Arjun Erigaisi Triumphs in Bullet Brawl, Securing First Place and $400 Prize

Highlights from the Latest Edition of Chess.com’s Bullet Brawl

• Arjun Erigaisi becomes the second Indian player to win Bullet Brawl, following a remarkable 12-game winning streak.
• Matthias Bluebaum and Andrew Tang finish in second and third, respectively, earning $250 and $150.
• Melika Mohammadi continues to shine as the top-scoring women’s player for the second consecutive week.
• The next Bullet Brawl is scheduled for February 28 at 12 p.m. ET.

Arjun Erigaisi Triumphs in Bullet Brawl, Secures $400 Prize

In a thrilling display of speed and strategy, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has etched his name in chess history by becoming the second Indian player, alongside GM Nihal Sarin, to win an edition of the renowned Bullet Brawl. The event, held on Saturday, saw Erigaisi dominate the competition with an impressive 12-game winning streak, ultimately amassing a total of 166 points and clinching the $400 first prize.

Erigaisi’s victory comes as a significant boost following a less-than-stellar performance at the recent Tata Steel Chess 2026. The 22-year-old’s triumph in the Bullet Brawl not only showcases his resilience but also sets the stage for his upcoming matches in the German Bundesliga later this month.

Finishing in second place was GM Matthias Bluebaum, who earned $250 with a score of 148 points. Multi-time Bullet Brawl champions GM Andrew Tang and GM Oleksandr Bortnyk rounded out the top four, securing $150 and $100, respectively.

For the second consecutive week, Iranian WIM Melika Mohammadi was the top-scoring female player, further highlighting the diverse talent present in the tournament.

The Bullet Brawl format, featuring a two-hour arena with a 1+0 time control, attracts some of the world’s best bullet specialists. This week’s event was no exception, with four super-GMs, including Erigaisi, Bluebaum, Tang, and Bortnyk, competing fiercely for the prize pool of $1,000.

As the tournament unfolded, IM Renato Terry initially took the lead with a remarkable score of 16/17. However, as the competition intensified, Erigaisi began to rise, showcasing his tactical prowess with a stunning queen sacrifice against IM Reza Mahdavi. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his unstoppable streak, where he decisively defeated several top contenders, including Tang and Bluebaum.

Erigaisi’s victory by an 18-point margin underscores his exceptional skill and determination, making him a player to watch in future competitions. The next edition of Bullet Brawl is set to commence on Saturday, February 28, at 12 p.m. ET/18:00 CET, promising more electrifying chess action.

For those eager to review the games from this week’s Bullet Brawl, they can be found here.

As the chess community celebrates Erigaisi’s remarkable achievement, the anticipation builds for the next round of Bullet Brawl, where new champions may emerge and legends may continue to rise.