Anthony Atanasov: The Speed Demon Grandmaster
Anthony Atanasov, better known by his username aa175, is a FIDE Grandmaster who has built a reputation as one of the most relentless online speed chess players. With more than 47,000 analyzed games and a clear preference for bullet chess, Anthony treats the clock as another opponent to crush.
From Improver to Grandmaster
Anthony's journey began modestly in early 2017 with a 1400 daily rating. Through hundreds of games and a fearless approach to opening preparation, he climbed quickly. His real leap arrived in 2019 and 2020, when his blitz and bullet ratings surged past 2400 and then beyond 2600. By late 2025 he had crossed the 3000 mark in both blitz and bullet, proving that the Grandmaster title is not just a ceremonial badge.
He is especially dangerous when the clock is short. His bullet peak of 3183 (2025-10-07) and blitz peak of 3184 (2025-12-10) place him among the elite speed specialists on the platform.
The Bullet Grinder
If you glance at Anthony's game log, you will not see a casual player. He has played tens of thousands of bullet games, winning more than 16,800 of them. His preferred time control is bullet, and his rating graph shows a steady upward climb from the low 1800s to the 3100s.
His style is aggressive and practical. He favors unusual but sound ideas, often steering the game into positions where his faster instincts take over. The Amar Gambit and the Australian Defense appear throughout his games, and he scores impressively with both, especially in bullet.
Signature Rivalries
Anthony's long online career has produced a few familiar names in his opponent list. The account Kent Slate has faced him 672 times, and their battles are almost dead even, with tactic holding a slight edge. Against Snowflake, Anthony has played 646 games, and against old_acc_mm, he holds a healthy plus score after 877 meetings.
These recurring matchups help explain his remarkable consistency. He knows the tendencies of his regular rivals, and that familiarity translates into confident play under time pressure.
Comebacks and Resilience
The numbers reveal a fighter. Anthony's comeback rate is 79.4 percent, and he still wins 46.5 percent of the games after losing a piece. His longest winning streak reached 50 games, a staggering feat in bullet where a single blunder can end the run. Even when he falls into a worse position, he finds counterplay and turns the game around at an elite level.
He rarely resigns early, with an early resignation rate below 2 percent, and he is just as comfortable pushing through messy endgames as he is trading blows in the opening.
A Repertoire Full of Surprises
Anthony's repertoire is not built around the most mainstream lines. He regularly employs the Amar Gambit and the Australian Defense, and he also has a strong record in the Amazon Attack and the East Indian Defense. His willingness to play offbeat systems keeps opponents out of their preparation, an edge that becomes even more valuable in speed chess.
Career Highlights
- FIDE Grandmaster with an enormous online game volume.
- Crossed 3000 rating in both blitz and bullet.
- Longest winning streak of 50 consecutive games.
- More than 24,000 combined wins in bullet and blitz.
- Known for a 79.4 percent comeback rate and relentless counterattacking play.
Anthony Atanasov is the kind of Grandmaster who turns online chess into a marathon. For anyone scrolling through his games, the lesson is clear: do not give him a pawn, do not give him time, and definitely do not challenge him to a bullet match at 8 AM.