Meet the Ironman of Online Chess
Arnar Erwin Gunnarsson, better known to thousands of opponents as Xtrmntr78, is a FIDE International Master with one of the most athletic online schedules in the game. His account shows nearly 59,000 rated games, including more than 46,000 bullet clashes. If chess were a marathon, he would not just finish, he would set the pace.
A Repertoire Built on Personality
When Arnar has the white pieces, he almost always turns to the English Opening, with 1.c4 as his signature move. As Black, he is a devoted Elephant Gambit soldier, answering 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 with the bold 2...d5 thousands of times. The gambit has been his laboratory for years, and in rapid play it has rewarded him with a 74 percent score. See the idea below.
Rivalries That Define a Career
No account is complete without rivals. Arnar's most frequent dance partner is Pieter Heesters, against whom he has played 326 games, a rivalry that leans his opponent's way. Against benecyrill the score is almost perfectly balanced, while never_walk_alone, shivampant20052006 and yoam978 have all featured in more than 200 games with him. These long running duels are the heartbeat of his online chess life.
The Numbers Behind the Madness
- Peak Blitz rating: 2961 (2026-04-09), reached in April 2026.
- Peak Bullet rating: 2912 (2025-12-26).
- Longest winning streak: 22 games.
- Longest losing streak: 16 games.
- Comeback rate: 85.11 percent, with a 44.59 percent win rate even after losing a piece.
- Best time of day: 12:00, so lunchtime chess is clearly his fuel.
- Endgame frequency: 84.79 percent. He rarely blinks, he grinds.
A Bullet Heart with a Daily Soul
Here is the plot twist. Arnar Erwin Gunnarsson lists Daily chess as his preferred time control, despite a bullet game count that passes 46,000. It is like a sprinter admitting his favorite event is the afternoon nap. After delivering more than 156,000 checks across his career, even an elephant needs to rest.