Brandon Eshleman – The Blitz Maestro and Streamer Extraordinaire
If you blink, you might just miss Brandon Eshleman pummeling his opponents on the blitz battlefield. Known online as BrandoTheBully, Brandon has carved out a reputation as a fiercely competitive and lightning-fast player who thrives under the ticking clock of blitz chess. When not streaming his rapid-fire matches and dazzling fans with his quick wit and quicker moves, he's busy racking up wins (and keeping losses to a minimum) in the online arena.
Brandon's journey began humbly, with a solitary recorded blitz game back in 2012 at a modest rating of 1331 – probably a warm-up shot to what would become a fiery career. Like any chess gladiator, his rating zoomed upward over the years, ultimately smashing through the 2500 mark in blitz by early 2025. His bullet chess prowess is equally terrifying, with a peak that nudges an impressive 2659 (2025-02-19) of 2659 — enough to give grandmasters a twitch in their opening repertoire.
His playing style? A deft mix of tactical brilliance and psychological warfare. Brandon is a comeback king, boasting a staggering ~90% comeback rate when the going gets tough. Sure, he's not afraid to snag a timely resignation from his foes, but with over 74% of his games heading into the endgame, he's clearly not a flash-in-the-pan bullet blitzer. Expect long, strategic duels where every move teeters on the edge of brilliance or blunder.
Openings That Pack a Punch
Brandon has a few favorite openings up his sleeve, especially in blitz:
- The Englund Gambit is his playground, with a cool 57.7% win rate over 227 games, showing he’s comfortable turning the tables in less-traveled lines.
- He punishes opponents mercilessly in the Sicilian Defense Smith Morra Gambit Accepted, winning a solid 64% of the time when he unleashes this sharp weapon.
- The French Defense Exchange Variation and the Caro Kann Defense Exchange Variation also feature prominently, underscoring his preference for solid yet cunning play.
When the Stream Lights Are On
Besides wielding the knight and queen, Brandon shines as a streamer, bringing energy and humor to his audience. His handle "BrandoTheBully" isn’t just a name — it’s a warning. Opponents often find themselves bullied into submission on the clock, especially in the blitz and bullet arenas. Expect rapid-fire moves, intense moments where one slip can mean game over, and plenty of smiles (or frustrated groans) from viewers.
Most Recent Battles
The last few encounters show Brandon in full form. Against retrosynthon, he danced through the Scandinavian Defense, ultimately winning on time after a resourceful middle game assault.
DrabMajor met a swift checkmate in a King's Pawn Opening – all part and parcel of the "Bully" package.
Even when tasting defeat, like against tomoe_nage in the Kings Gambit Accepted, you can bet it was a battle fought until the clock ran out.
The Ticking Clock and Optimal Play
Brandon's best time to strike seems to be around noon, where his win rate peaks impressively. He performs consistently better on Mondays and Saturdays, perhaps proving that chess is best played with a fresh mind or maybe a weekend coffee! His opponents beware — when the hour hand nears 12 and the weekend vibes hit, that's when Brando unleashes his blitz beast mode.
While his winning streaks hit highs of 15 games, Brandon has also braved the tough patches with a longest losing streak of 19, proving that even the best sometimes wander through the shadowy valleys before the next lightning strike.
Brandon’s Legacy (So Far)
Amassing over 1500 blitz wins and nearly twice as many bullet games played, Brandon is a seasoned pugilist in the rapid online chess universe. His psychological resilience and tactical tenacity make him not just a master of moves, but a player whose presence on the board is felt far beyond mere ratings.
So, whether you're tuning into his stream for cutting-edge chess insights, or gearing up to face the blitzing whirlwind himself, expect an electrifying experience from Brandon Eshleman — a true master of the fast and furious chess wave.