Andrew Tang: The GM Who Plays Bullet Chess Faster Than Anyone Alive

There is fast, and then there is Andrew Tang fast. Known online as penguingm1, Tang is an American Grandmaster who has built a reputation as quite possibly the quickest bullet chess player the world has ever seen. His sub-second premoves and blindfolded ultrabullet sessions have turned him into one of the most captivating figures in online chess. ## From Prodigy to Grandmaster Andrew Tang earned his Grandmaster title in 2017 while still a teenager. Born in 1999, he developed his chess skills early and quickly rose through the ranks of American chess. But rather than following the traditional path of classical tournament play, Tang carved out a unique niche at the intersection of speed chess and online entertainment. He went on to attend Princeton University, graduating in 2023 with a degree in Operations Research and Financial Engineering (ORFE). The combination of elite chess ability and Ivy League academics speaks to a mind built for pattern recognition and rapid decision-making. ## The King of Bullet and Ultrabullet What sets Tang apart is not just his speed, but the quality of chess he produces at that speed. While most players at the bullet level rely heavily on flagging opponents or making safe but unremarkable moves, Tang plays genuine chess at a pace that defies comprehension. His most famous achievement may be reaching the number one ranking in ultrabullet on Lichess while playing entirely blindfolded. In ultrabullet, each player starts with just 15 seconds on the clock for the entire game. Playing without being able to see the board at that speed requires an almost superhuman level of board visualization and intuition. On Chess.com, Tang has amassed over 10,000 followers and close to 565,000 profile views. He has earned nearly 1,000 awards on the platform and holds Top Blogger status, demonstrating that his appeal extends beyond just his gameplay. ## A Streaming Sensation Tang maintains an active streaming presence on Twitch, where audiences tune in to watch him demolish opponents at speeds that make the games almost impossible to follow. His streams often feature blindfold bullet sessions, a format he has essentially made his own. Beyond Twitch, he is active across YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Discord, building a community around his unique brand of chess content. His Discord server has become a gathering place for fans and speed chess enthusiasts. ## By the Numbers Tang's FIDE rating sits around 2461, a number that, while strong, does not fully capture his dominance in online speed formats. His Lichess bullet rating has been recorded above 2500, and his ultrabullet rating reflects his complete mastery of the fastest time controls. He has played thousands of rated games on both major platforms and competed in numerous online events, consistently proving that he belongs at the very top of speed chess. ## What Makes Him Special In a chess world increasingly defined by engine preparation and theoretical depth, Andrew Tang represents something different. He is a reminder that chess can also be about instinct, reflexes, and pure creative energy at the board. His ability to play at the highest level while moving at speeds that seem physically impossible has earned him a devoted following. Whether he is streaming blindfold ultrabullet on a Tuesday night or competing in a high-profile online event, Tang brings an excitement to chess that few players can match. He has shown that there is more than one way to be great at this game. ## Explore Andrew Tang on TrendingChess Andrew Tang is now featured on the [TrendingChess directory](https://trendingchess.com/andrew-tang). Visit his profile to find links to his Chess.com account, Twitch streams, YouTube channel, and social media, all in one place.