Indian GM Nihal Sarin commented on his victory at the Bullet Chess Championship 2026. Nihal calls the win the best achievement of his life, and notes that Alireza Firouzja was on tilt in the Grand Final.

Nihal Sarin

Nihal Sarin

Indian GM

“I had no idea at all… It’s probably the best achievement in my life. I definitely didn’t think I would beat Alireza. I just wanted to try to fight.

Somehow in the end, I managed to get on an amazing streak and looks like he was just going completely on tilt and I was managing to find a very good rhythm. It was just not his day and I managed to play well. I’m very happy with my level.

I actually didn’t have specific bullet training at all. I guess I managed to improve a bit in recent times and maybe it’s showing.

But, of course, Classical and Bullet are completely different.”

The Bullet Chess Championship 2026 took place from June 24 to 27 on Chess.com. Nihal Sarin defeated Alireza Firouzja in the Grand Final with a score of 15.5-7.5 and in the Grand Final reset with a score of 9.5-5.5. Nihal became the 3rd unique Bullet World Champion after Alireza and Hikaru Nakamura.

Credit: Esports World Cup