Daniel Naroditsky Secures Third Straight Bullet Brawl Title with Dramatic Finish

GM Daniel Naroditsky emerged victorious in a thrilling showdown against world champions Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja to secure his third consecutive Bullet Brawl title. The intense competition saw Naroditsky pull off two five-move wins in the dying seconds of the arena, finishing with a score of 221, just one point ahead of Carlsen and Firouzja.

The top four spots in the event were claimed by Naroditsky, Carlsen, Firouzja, and Tuan Minh Le, who will receive cash prizes of $400, $250, $150, and $100 respectively. Additionally, FM Anastasia Avramidou took home the $100 best women’s prize.

The 88th edition of Bullet Brawl featured a star-studded lineup, with three of the world’s top ten players participating. The event also saw the newly crowned FIDE world rapid chess champion Volodar Murzin finish 24th, highlighting the depth of the field.

Naroditsky’s journey to victory was not without its challenges, as he faced tough competition from Carlsen and Firouzja throughout the event. Despite suffering setbacks with losses to both players, Naroditsky staged an impressive comeback with a 25-game winning streak, propelling himself back into title contention.

In a nail-biting finish, with Carlsen and Firouzja tied on 220 points and Naroditsky trailing behind, the unexpected happened. Naroditsky executed a daring four-move checkmate strategy against Dyulgerov and Firouzja, securing victory with seconds to spare and edging out his competitors.

The next edition of Bullet Brawl is set to commence on Saturday, January 25, promising another thrilling display of top-tier bullet chess action. With a $1,000 prize fund and a lineup of top GMs, including Nakamura, Naroditsky, and Tang, the event is sure to deliver high-stakes excitement for chess fans worldwide.