Chess in the Last 24 Hours: Nihal Sarin's Amazing 15-Win Streak
In the last 24 hours, Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin won the 2026 Bullet Chess Championship. He beat three-time champion Alireza Firouzja with an incredible 15 wins in a row. It was his first-ever final, and he called it the best bullet chess of his life. Here is the simple, warm story of a magical day on the board.
A Magical Day: Nihal Wins the Bullet Title
What happened in chess in the last 24 hours? Something almost no one saw coming.
On Saturday, June 27, a young player from India did something special. His name is Nihal Sarin. He won the 2026 Bullet Chess Championship. And he did it in a way that left even the experts shocked.
What is bullet chess?
Bullet chess is the fastest kind of chess. Each player gets only one minute for the whole game. There is no extra time. You must move fast, think fast, and never stop. One small slip can end the game in seconds.
This event was the biggest online bullet tournament of the year. It ran from June 24 to 27 on Chess.com. The best fast players in the world were all there. The prize fund was $50,000.
A long climb to the top
Nihal did not have an easy path. He lost a match early and dropped into the lower bracket. To reach the final, he had to win again and again.
First he beat Andrew Tang. Then he beat his fellow Indian star Arjun Erigaisi. Only after that did he meet the big boss: Alireza Firouzja.
Firouzja was the defending champion. He had already won this title three times. Most people thought he would win once more.
| Match | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Losers Semifinal | Andrew Tang | 11 – 6 |
| Losers Final | Arjun Erigaisi | 13.5 – 7.5 |
| Grand Final | Alireza Firouzja | 15.5 – 7.5 |
| Final Reset | Alireza Firouzja | 9.5 – 4.5 |
The streak no one saw coming
The final started just as people expected. Firouzja took a small lead. But Nihal stayed calm. Slowly he caught up. The score became 7.5 to 7.5.
Then something amazing happened. Nihal did not lose another game. He won, and won, and won. He won 15 games in a row.
He took the first final by a wide margin. Firouzja had a right to a "reset" match — a fresh start. It did not help. Nihal kept winning. At one point Firouzja just laughed in disbelief.
When it was over, Nihal had the title and $10,000. It was his first time ever reaching the Grand Final.
In his own words
After the match, Nihal was humble and kind. He did not even know how big his streak was. "Really, 15? I had no idea!" he said.
He gave credit to his rhythm, not just his skill. "It was just not his day today... it happens!" he said about Firouzja.
He even shared a sweet memory. Years ago, he and Arjun were young friends who played fast games together for fun. That practice helped shape the player he is today.
Why this matters
Chess can feel quiet and slow. But days like this show its wild, human side. A player can rise from a loss, find his very best form, and make magic on the board.
Nihal called it "surely the best bullet of my life." After a night like that, it is easy to believe him.
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