Amateur Chess Player Josh Smith Takes on Daniil Dubov in 100-Game Bullet Challenge
Can an experienced amateur chess player avoid losing 100 games in a row to one of the world’s elite? That is the unusual question behind a high-stakes bullet chess match between Arizona businessman Josh Smith and grandmaster Daniil Dubov. The 100-game contest is scheduled for November 7, with a potential $20,000 payout—and a condition that makes the bonus exceptionally difficult to earn.
Dubov is guaranteed $10,000 for taking part. He can collect an additional $10,000 only if he wins every game. One draw, one victory for Smith, or even a half-point from any game would end the grandmaster’s chance at the full amount. For Smith, that means the objective is not to win the match. He needs just one result to prevent a perfect sweep.
A 100-Game Chess Match With an Unusual شرط
Each game will be played at one minute per player, with no increment. That fast time control is known as bullet chess, where players must make decisions almost instantly while managing their clocks, spotting tactical chances, and avoiding costly mouse slips. A match lasting 100 games places an additional premium on concentration and stamina.
Smith, 49, is an amateur player whose US Chess rating is in the 1800s. He is not approaching the contest as an equal to Dubov, a former world rapid chess champion who has also ranked among the world’s top blitz players. Instead, Smith sees the format itself as a source of opportunity. At one minute per side, even a far stronger player can face practical problems: a difficult position, a ticking clock, a connection issue, or a single inaccurate move.
“I know I’m going to lose the majority of the time, the vast majority of the time,” Smith said in an interview with podcaster Greg Mustreader. “But there’s the opportunity.”
That opportunity may be small, but it is enough to give the match its appeal. Smith does not need to outscore Dubov over 100 games. He only needs to avoid a 100-0 result.
Dubov Expects a Tougher Test Than the Odds Suggest
Dubov has a bullet rating above 3000 and extensive experience competing at the highest level. Even so, he has publicly questioned whether a clean sweep is realistic. In his interview with Mustreader, he joked: “It takes a lot of talent to lose 100 games in a row.”
The grandmaster estimated Smith’s bullet ability at around candidate master strength and noted that the amateur may have played more games in the format than he has. Smith says he has completed more than 250,000 bullet games over roughly 30 years, describing himself as “completely addicted” to the fast-paced version of chess.
Dubov’s view is that Smith is a “massive favorite” to deny him the bonus—not because the amateur is expected to win the match, but because avoiding a perfect score across 100 unpredictable games is a very different challenge from winning an individual encounter.
“He only needs half a point,” Dubov said. “I think he’s a massive favorite not to lose 100 in a row.”
Why Bullet Chess Rewards More Than Calculation
In classical chess, players may spend several minutes—or much longer—considering a critical move. Bullet chess removes that luxury. Players often rely on pattern recognition, familiar openings, simple plans, and quick practical choices. The best move on the board may be less useful than a solid move that can be found and played immediately.
Smith says his strategy is to build a sturdy position that is difficult to break down quickly. He describes the approach as constructing a defensive “bunker,” while keeping an eye out for stalemate tricks and opportunities to win on time. Even when down material, an amateur can remain dangerous if the opponent has only seconds left to finish the game.
“Bullet is not finding the best move. It’s about finding good moves fast,” Smith explained.
That principle captures the distinctive character of online bullet chess. Speed, mouse accuracy, clock awareness, and psychological pressure can all influence the result. A grandmaster still has a major advantage in chess understanding, but the format creates more chances for a single game to turn on a practical mistake.
Smith’s Preparation and Previous Chess Challenges
Smith has been working to improve through training games against stronger opponents, including titled players. He says occasional successes have helped keep him motivated, even though his overall record against grandmasters remains heavily lopsided. Against his coach, Smith said his Chess.com record at the time of the interview was six wins, three draws, and 151 losses.
“It’s nice to say I can beat a grandmaster here and there,” he said. “It gives me something to strive for.”
The match also fits Smith’s broader appetite for demanding personal goals. In his profile, he has described losing more than 145 pounds in six months, hiking rim to rim across the Grand Canyon, and making a point of walking 10,000 steps each day. The chess challenge is another test of persistence—this time played out one frantic minute at a time.
Smith and Dubov reportedly discussed time odds, but Smith preferred a match with equal clocks and the same pieces for both players. The unusual prize condition, rather than a conventional time handicap, provides the distinctive twist.
“In that game he has one minute and I have one minute. He’s still a super elite grandmaster and I’m still a club player,” Smith told Mustreader.
Respect, Pressure, and One Chance to Make History
For Dubov, the match is not simply a chance to collect a bonus. He has praised Smith’s willingness to take on the possibility of a public 100-0 defeat, calling attention to the courage and mental strength required to accept that risk. A long bullet session can be demanding even for elite players, and the pressure of needing a flawless score may add another layer of difficulty.
Smith, meanwhile, is realistic about the likely results. He expects to lose most of the games, but believes that the speed and volatility of bullet leave room for a breakthrough. One draw would be enough. One win would be more memorable still.
The contest brings together two very different chess stories: a world-class grandmaster known for rapid play and an amateur who has spent decades immersed in bullet games. Dubov will be chasing perfection; Smith will be searching for a single escape from it.
For the Arizona businessman, the goal is simple—and the stakes are unusually clear: avoid the whitewash, and the grandmaster’s extra $10,000 disappears. As Smith put it, “Maybe a grandpa can beat a grandmaster.”
