XANTARES scores quad kill to kick off second half at IEM Rio 2026

İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş just reminded everyone why he’s been one of Counter-Strike’s most mechanically gifted players for the better part of a decade. The Turkish rifler opened the second half of Aurora Gaming’s match against Natus Vincere at IEM Rio 2026 with a quad kill that made four professional players look like they’d wandered into the wrong server.

The play happened on April 15 during a group-stage best-of-3, with XANTARES wielding an M4A1-S while defending bombsite A. His team was down a player, facing a 4-vs-5 disadvantage. He responded by deleting four members of NAVI in rapid succession. Aurora went on to win the series 2-1.

Breaking down the moment

The M4A1-S is a suppressed rifle that trades raw damage output for accuracy and stealth. It’s a common choice for CT-side players, but it demands precise aim to compensate for its lower fire rate compared to the unsuppressed M4A4.

Being down 4-vs-5 typically means playing conservatively, holding angles, and hoping the attacking side makes a mistake. XANTARES chose violence instead, and it worked.

XANTARES and Aurora Gaming’s trajectory

XANTARES joined Aurora Gaming in April 2025, adding his aggressive entry-fragging style to a roster that was looking to make noise on the international stage. Before Aurora, the 30-year-old had built his reputation through stints with Space Soldiers and Eternal Fire.

His career earnings exceed $1.5 million, a figure that puts him among the most successful Turkish esports players ever. That number reflects years of consistent high-level play across multiple iterations of Counter-Strike, from CS:GO through the transition to CS2.

IEM Rio 2026 carries a prize pool of $300K, making it a meaningful tournament on the competitive calendar. XANTARES has a documented history of producing highlight-reel moments at ESL-organized events, including multiple IEM tournaments throughout his career.

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