<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><feed xml:lang="en-US" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog.atom" /><title>MrBeeKay's Blog</title><updated>2025-09-02T09:26:05.612Z</updated><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/hyperbullet-prized-tournament/OmFO1CPf</id><published>2025-09-02T09:26:05.612Z</published><updated>2025-09-02T09:26:05.612Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/hyperbullet-prized-tournament/OmFO1CPf" /><title>Hyperbullet Prized Tournament!</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Tournament" label="Tournament" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Tournament"></category><category term="Lichess" label="Lichess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Lichess"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;Join this tournament, if it goes well (we'll host monthly)&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:OmFO1CPf:Nlgdje6v.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=e8abc3f35bb3279608c3fbb406d33c39c9bee684&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Winner gets free Lichess Patron!</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:OmFO1CPf:Nlgdje6v.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=e8abc3f35bb3279608c3fbb406d33c39c9bee684"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/calling-all-south-african-chess-players/95coZa3L</id><published>2025-08-04T15:57:11.452Z</published><updated>2025-08-04T15:57:11.452Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/calling-all-south-african-chess-players/95coZa3L" /><title>Calling All South African Chess Players!</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Tournament" label="Tournament" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Tournament"></category><category term="Lichess" label="Lichess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Lichess"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;Let's get Competitive!&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:95coZa3L:VOqVOi6i.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=3b3fffac90c485a5147915c7f1e858e88f59fdc3&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Monthly Lichess Bullet Tournament – Starting End of August!  Are you fast, sharp, and ready to battle it out on the 64 squares? Then this is YOUR moment. We're launching an exclusive monthly Bullet Tournament just for South African chess players – and you don’t want to miss it.</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:95coZa3L:VOqVOi6i.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=3b3fffac90c485a5147915c7f1e858e88f59fdc3"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/my-chess-journey-from-where-i-started-to-where-i-want-it-to-end/RuRV5IjI</id><published>2025-08-03T10:52:18.462Z</published><updated>2025-08-03T10:52:18.462Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/my-chess-journey-from-where-i-started-to-where-i-want-it-to-end/RuRV5IjI" /><title>My Chess Journey! From Where I started to where I want it to end...</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Chess_Personalities" label="Chess Personalities" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess_Personalities"></category><category term="Tournament" label="Tournament" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Tournament"></category><category term="Over_the_board" label="Over the board" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Over_the_board"></category><category term="Off_topic" label="Off topic" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Off_topic"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;Yeah... bad Image I know....&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:RuRV5IjI:o35Pc8EM.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=66a6b4cefe63c2e32735fceeab84de5aa1798b1a&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By Branden Strauss: Chess has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, with my earliest memories involving my dad teaching me the basics. I’ll never forget the day he introduced me to the 3-move checkmate at one of our beachfront homes. Little did I know that this simple lesson would spark a passion that would grow into a lifelong journey.</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:RuRV5IjI:o35Pc8EM.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=66a6b4cefe63c2e32735fceeab84de5aa1798b1a"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/after-2-years-i-finally-joined-a-tournament-again/Nrf69jJN</id><published>2025-07-29T20:06:40.138Z</published><updated>2025-07-29T20:06:40.138Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/after-2-years-i-finally-joined-a-tournament-again/Nrf69jJN" /><title>After 2 years, I finally joined a Tournament again!</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Tournament" label="Tournament" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Tournament"></category><category term="Off_topic" label="Off topic" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Off_topic"></category><category term="Over_the_board" label="Over the board" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Over_the_board"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;Chess is the most addictive drug.&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:Nrf69jJN:CbWypcqo.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=b18ad97bc7e11e225e883f944086c59e9bf93bdf&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I got 3rd place...</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:Nrf69jJN:CbWypcqo.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=b18ad97bc7e11e225e883f944086c59e9bf93bdf"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/mastering-bullet-chess-on-lichess-the-power-of-the-pre-move/jaCRFYhB</id><published>2025-07-18T06:25:23.176Z</published><updated>2025-07-18T06:25:23.176Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/mastering-bullet-chess-on-lichess-the-power-of-the-pre-move/jaCRFYhB" /><title>Mastering Bullet Chess on Lichess: The Power of the Pre-move</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Tactics" label="Tactics" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Tactics"></category><category term="Strategy" label="Strategy" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Strategy"></category><category term="Lichess" label="Lichess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Lichess"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;Yeah...&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:jaCRFYhB:Z2n8INoF.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=15b460650c9c923af8f60a790645fb0191dc3ebe&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you've ever wondered how the top bullet players on Lichess seem to play at lightning speed without ever flagging—chances are, they're pre-moving. A lot.  Bullet chess (1-minute games, with or without increment) is an adrenaline-fueled format where speed is as critical as skill. While tactical sharpness and pattern recognition are essential, the single most important tool in your bullet arsenal is the pre-move. Mastering it can make the difference between a crushing win and a heartbreaking timeout.  Here’s how to use pre-moves more effectively—and win more games.</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:jaCRFYhB:Z2n8INoF.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=15b460650c9c923af8f60a790645fb0191dc3ebe"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/the-negative-impact-bullet-has-on-your-chess-if-you-let-it/L96wYzFM</id><published>2025-07-16T17:51:31.797Z</published><updated>2025-07-16T17:51:31.797Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/the-negative-impact-bullet-has-on-your-chess-if-you-let-it/L96wYzFM" /><title>The Negative Impact Bullet has on your chess, if you let it...</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Strategy" label="Strategy" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Strategy"></category><category term="Tactics" label="Tactics" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Tactics"></category><category term="Lichess" label="Lichess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Lichess"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;You can Choose your fate&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:L96wYzFM:l9UkzzBj.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=7a49a4bef71b8952215117cb9425e733d2ab69e1&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;July 16, 2025 by Branden Strauss  Bullet chess is fast. It’s thrilling. It’s addictive. And, if you’re not careful, it might be quietly damaging your chess.  In recent years, Bullet (1+0 or even faster!) has exploded in popularity. Between streamers flagging each other in dramatic time scrambles, hyper-caffeinated Arena tournaments, and that irresistible dopamine hit of a 60-second game, it’s no wonder players spend hours blitzing through games at breakneck speed. Bullet is everywhere.  But here’s the hard truth: if your goal is to get better at chess, Bullet might be doing more harm than good.</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:L96wYzFM:l9UkzzBj.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=7a49a4bef71b8952215117cb9425e733d2ab69e1"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/70-fascinating-facts-about-mikhail-tal--the-magician-from-riga/0jA9kpmY</id><published>2025-07-16T16:28:02.201Z</published><updated>2025-07-16T16:28:02.201Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/70-fascinating-facts-about-mikhail-tal--the-magician-from-riga/0jA9kpmY" /><title>70 Fascinating Facts About Mikhail Tal – The Magician from Riga</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Analysis" label="Analysis" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Analysis"></category><category term="Chess_Personalities" label="Chess Personalities" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess_Personalities"></category><category term="Off_topic" label="Off topic" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Off_topic"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;Mikhail Tal smoking a Cigar whilst playing a Tournament&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:0jA9kpmY:h11b1dSL.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=e664dcbc3c6601ef63e6de6764f819f5ee5423be&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mikhail Tal, the &amp;quot;Magician from Riga,&amp;quot; remains one of the most imaginative, brilliant, and enigmatic figures in chess history. Known for his audacious tactics, dazzling sacrifices, and bold attacks, he became a legend of the game. Here’s a deep dive into his life, career, and personality through 100 interesting facts that shed light on his genius and fascinating story.</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:0jA9kpmY:h11b1dSL.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=e664dcbc3c6601ef63e6de6764f819f5ee5423be"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry><entry><id>https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/how-to-improve-your-bullet-chess-rating-on-lichess-a-comprehensive-guide/MYiKxpOi</id><published>2025-07-16T16:03:07.087Z</published><updated>2025-07-16T16:03:07.087Z</updated><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://lichess.org/@/MrBeeKay/blog/how-to-improve-your-bullet-chess-rating-on-lichess-a-comprehensive-guide/MYiKxpOi" /><title>How to Improve Your Bullet Chess Rating on Lichess: A Comprehensive Guide</title><category term="Chess" label="Chess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Chess"></category><category term="Strategy" label="Strategy" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Strategy"></category><category term="Tactics" label="Tactics" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Tactics"></category><category term="Lichess" label="Lichess" scheme="https://lichess.org/blog/topic/Lichess"></category><content type="html">&lt;img class=&quot;ublog-post-image&quot; width=&quot;880&quot; height=&quot;550&quot; alt=&quot;Master Bullet Chess&quot; src=&quot;https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;amp;h=550&amp;amp;op=thumbnail&amp;amp;path=ublog:MYiKxpOi:fySLOogk.webp&amp;amp;w=880&amp;amp;sig=0615dcb65125f07957c4671677de2eea9fff9955&quot; /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bullet chess is a fast-paced and thrilling version of the game, demanding quick thinking, rapid moves, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. If you’re looking to improve your bullet chess rating on Lichess, it’s important to develop a specific set of skills and strategies tailored to the unique nature of this format. In this blog post, we’ll break down the key areas that can help you level up your bullet chess game, from opening principles to time management techniques.</content><media:thumbnail url="https://image.lichess1.org/display?fmt=webp&amp;h=550&amp;op=thumbnail&amp;path=ublog:MYiKxpOi:fySLOogk.webp&amp;w=880&amp;sig=0615dcb65125f07957c4671677de2eea9fff9955"></media:thumbnail><author><name>MrBeeKay</name></author></entry></feed>