Praveen Balakrishnan — Grandmaster and Bullet Virtuoso
Praveen Balakrishnan is a titled player who earned the Grandmaster title from FIDE. Renowned for his speedy instincts and razor-sharp tactics, he excels in fast time controls, especially Bullet. Curious, creative, and relentlessly curious about every position, Praveen treats each game like a sprint through a chess forest. Learn more about him: Praveen Balakrishnan.
Career and Playing Style
From his early days to the present, Praveen has built a reputation as a fearless practitioner of fast, dynamic chess. His repertoire spans aggressive lines like Amar Gambit and sharp modern setups, blended with solid defenses such as the Caro-Kann and Modern. In Bullet and Blitz he frequently triangulates opponents with rapid, tactical blows, while in Rapid he shows steady, calculating play. His games reflect a love of initiative and a knack for turning rapid calculations into tangible advantages.
Notable Achievements
FIDE Grandmaster title earned.
Peak Blitz rating reached 2943 in 2022.
Longest recorded winning streak: 52 games.
Active across multiple formats with strong results in Bullet, Blitz, Rapid, and Daily formats.
Known for a diverse opening repertoire, including Caro-Kann Defense, Modern, Amar Gambit, and various aggressive lines.
Time Control Focus
Preferred time control appears to be Bullet, where Praveen showcases his swift decision-making and relentless pressure. He balances rapid instinct with deep pattern recognition, turning fast games into thrilling demonstrations of chess intuition.
In the Chess Community
Praveen is known for his playful, sometimes cheeky, approach to the game—always ready with a grin after a brave tactical shot. His work ethic, curiosity, and willingness to push the boundaries of speed chess have earned him respect among peers. For a snapshot of his career journey, see his profile: Praveen Balakrishnan.
Visual Highlights
Visualization of his rating trajectory and peak performances can be explored with the following placeholder:
