Witty Alien - The "Legacy" of a Champion and a Quiet Hero
Witty Alien, whose real name is Volen Dyulgerov, was born in 1999, making him 26 years old (as of 2025). He is a talented chess player and content creator hailing from Bulgaria. Holding the title of Candidate Master and boasting a peak FIDE Elo of 2200, Volen is not only a gifted player but also an idol for many fans. He clinched the U18 Bulgarian Championship in 2017 and the U20 Bulgarian Championship in 2018, and was also the U20 Blitz Champion in 2015.
Over the past two years, Witty Alien built a strong community on YouTube and Twitch. He shared his passion and spread his love for chess to millions of viewers worldwide. His unique playing style and distinctive videos have left an indelible mark. He even created a dedicated club on Chess.com called Witty_Aliens, where fans could connect and engage with his content and each other.
Legendary Moments and Signature Moves
Throughout his journey, Witty Alien created countless memorable moments. He often showcased his signature actions, such as chest-thumping after a brilliant move or a hard-fought victory, shouting his iconic phrase "Alien gambit, my gambit, my legacy" whenever an opponent played the Caro-Kann, or even tearing his shirt in celebration after an incredible win (as seen in his game against Hikaru). He also frequently wore an alien mask in some of his videos, adding to his unique persona.
Witty Alien's influence stretched far and wide, catching the attention of top chess players and YouTubers globally. Grandmasters like Hikaru Nakamura, Magnus Carlsen, and Anna Cramling have all played chess with him. Other notable figures like WGM Nemo have also had memorable matches against him. Specifically, his "Alien Gambit" sparked a craze in 2024 and was analyzed and reviewed by numerous popular chess YouTube channels, including GothamChess, and Vietnamese YouTubers like Tung John Playing Chess and Manh Tien Chess.
Beyond being an inspiring figure on the chessboard, Witty Alien also demonstrated a generous heart. In one video, he shared that despite an average monthly income of around $300, he still used some of that money for charity, showcasing his warm heart and concern for the community.
A Tearful Farewell and Deep Reflections 
On September 5th, Witty Alien posted a farewell video, announcing his decision to cease all activities on chess platforms such as Chess.com, YouTube, Twitch, and Discord. In that emotional video, he shared two main reasons for his departure:
Health: He frequently suffered from migraines and dizziness, making it impossible for him to focus on his work and content creation.
Income: Despite his best efforts, his longer videos did not receive enough attention, resulting in insufficient income to cover living expenses and sustain his work.
This video plunged the entire chess community into sadness and regret. For those who had followed him, this was a significant loss.
As a fan who has watched all of his chess videos for over a year, I genuinely cried when I saw his farewell video. I've played the Alien Gambit myself and found it to be very engaging. Witty, if you ever read this, please remember that I and everyone around the world still love and support you! I truly hope you recover soon and find a fulfilling new job. We will always be here for you!
