From World Cup Heartbreak to Online Chess Glory
Just days after a shocking early exit from the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa, Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin delivered a spectacular performance that stunned the chess world. The young prodigy from Kerala bounced back in spectacular fashion by winning chess.com's prestigious Bullet Brawl on Saturday, November 17, 2025, defeating some of the biggest names in modern chess.
A Stunning Victory Against Chess Titans
Nihal Sarin's path to victory was nothing short of extraordinary. He scored 151 points in the two-hour arena competition, finishing ahead of American Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Andrew Tang, who tied for second place with 145 points each. What made his win particularly remarkable was his conquest of world-class opponents including Magnus Carlsen, the former World Champion, and Hikaru Nakamura, widely considered the greatest bullet chess player of all time. He also defeated his compatriot and rising star R. Praggnanandhaa during the intense competition.
The Bullet Brawl format features a demanding 1+0 time control, meaning players have just one minute for their entire game with no increment. Nihal demonstrated incredible stamina and skill throughout the event, playing 65 games in the two-hour duration. His record was impressive: 45 wins, 10 losses, and 10 draws, showcasing both his aggressive playing style and resilience.
Redemption After World Cup Disappointment
This victory served as perfect redemption for the 21-year-old Grandmaster, whose FIDE World Cup campaign in Goa had ended unexpectedly early. Despite recently crossing the prestigious 2700 Elo rating mark in Classical chess, Nihal suffered a second-round defeat to Greek Grandmaster Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis, who was significantly lower-rated. The loss was especially disappointing as it came in Nihal's first match after receiving a bye in the opening round.
Interestingly, Stamatis had earlier eliminated India's lone female representative, Divya Deshmukh, in the first round. Divya had earned her spot through a wild card entry following her phenomenal victory in the Women's FIDE World Cup, where she defeated compatriot Koneru Humpy in the final.
While Nihal continues to establish himself in classical chess, his dominance in the faster time formats is undeniable. This Bullet Brawl victory marks his third title in the competition, further cementing his reputation as one of the most formidable online chess players globally. His ability to defeat the world's best in such a demanding format, especially so soon after a major tournament disappointment, demonstrates both his mental toughness and exceptional skill in speed chess.
