GM Hikaru Nakamura made it four wins from four starts in the sixth edition of Bullet Brawl on Saturday, claiming the $400 prize after scoring 59 wins, five draws, and nine losses en route to a winning score of 210 points.

Moreso than usual, Nakamura was challenged by GMs Daniel Naroditsky (199), Jose Martinez (192), and Andrew Tang (183), whose names have become synonymous with the bullet time control. However, a series of timely streaks for the four-time champion made it impossible for them to catch him.

Thanks to the community’s excitement around Bullet Brawl, Chess.com has announced that the event will now be weekly rather than monthly, first taking place on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 10.00 a.m. PT/19:00 CEST.

Following the announcement that the arena will now be penciled in weekly on the Chess.com events calendar, 81 titled players gathered to try their luck at deposing the Bullet Brawl king, Nakamura, and fortunately for the world’s second-highest-rated blitz chess player (behind GM Alireza Firouzja), none were able to oust him.

The path to victory was anything but simple for Nakamura on Saturday, though, and despite a trio of wins to kick off the event, including a clutch win over the number-two seed Naroditsky, the American lost two games in a row. In a rare slip-up, the favorite lost against CM Matei-Valeriu Mogirzan in a King’s Gambit gone wrong. Astoundingly, Nakamura resigned in a winning position!

Ever the professional, he responded in the best way possible and went on a 10-game streak that was finally snapped by Naroditsky. On the leaderboard, the damage was already done, and Nakamura continued his rampant run, with his only losses coming at the hands of players rated over 3,000 (bar a single win by GM Alan Pichot, rated 2960).

Naroditsky’s run was also worthy of admiration, and though he got through a higher volume of games than the eventual winner, putting together lengthy streaks proved difficult. The commentator was also unlucky not to secure a few additional points and, at one point, was seconds away from receiving a draw offer from Nakamura before blundering.

If Nakamura is the king of Bullet Brawl, then Martinez must be considered the prince. With two victories notched, the Peruvian GM once again fired on all cylinders but was slightly off the pace of the two leaders. In ominous signs of another contender joining the Trinity of bullet chess, famed ultra bullet (15-second game) aficionado Tang finished within striking distance of the top three.

IM Karina Ambartsumova also collected $100 for being the top-scoring women’s player and has consistently been the player to beat in this category. A David vs. Goliath upset over GM Sergei Zhigalko was the highlight for the speedster, who continues to be a thorn in lofty-rated bullet player’s sides.

Alongside the titled Bullet Brawl, the community event also took place and June’s edition was won by Argentina’s Gonzalo Rojo, whose pure speed and tactical shots allowed him to dominate the field.

Standings 

Bullet Brawl is an exciting new titled arena that features Chess.com’s top bullet specialists that will now take place weekly on Saturdays. The format is a two-hour arena with a 1+0 time control with a $2,500 prize fund.

Much like Titled Tuesday and Arena Kings, Bullet Brawl often features top GMs, including Hikaru Nakamura, Daniel Naroditsky, Andrew Tang, Tuan Minh Le, and many more!

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