Exciting Showdown at the 3 0 Thursday Tournaments: Terry, Bluebaum, and Mahdavi Claim Victories!

Title: Blitz Brilliance: Terry, Bluebaum, and Mahdavi Triumph in Thrilling 3 0 Thursday Tournaments

Date: June 18, 2026

In a dazzling display of skill and strategy, International Master Renato Terry, Grandmaster Matthias Bluebaum, and International Master Reza Mahdavi emerged victorious in the fiercely contested 3 0 Thursday tournaments held on June 18. The event showcased some of the world’s top chess talents, with Terry notably overcoming five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen to secure his win.

Terry’s Historic Victory Over Carlsen

The first tournament kicked off with an unexpected twist as world number one Magnus Carlsen entered the fray after a long day at the 2026 World Rapid & Blitz Team Championships. By the sixth round, it was clear that the competition was heating up, with only Carlsen and Terry maintaining perfect scores.

In a dramatic showdown, Carlsen opted for the La Bourdonnais Variation against Terry’s French Defense. Despite an early advantage, Carlsen’s gamble to avoid a draw backfired, allowing Terry to seize the moment and claim victory. Riding high on this momentum, Terry secured his tournament win with strategic draws against formidable opponents, including GMs Christopher Yoo and Parham Maghsoodloo, before clinching the title by defeating GM Guha Mitrabha in the final round.

Carlsen, despite his valiant efforts, was left to settle for a tie with Terry, ultimately losing out on tiebreaks. Rounding out the top four were Yoo and GM Dmitrij Kollars, while IM Karina Ambartsumova was recognized as the top female player.

In a post-event Facebook update, Terry expressed his excitement, noting that this marked his first blitz victory over Carlsen.

Bluebaum’s Tiebreak Triumph

The second tournament saw Polish GM Zbigniew Pakleza start strong with a remarkable 6/6, but his momentum faltered as he lost four of his last five games, slipping to 13th place. Meanwhile, Bluebaum and Iranian FM Artin Ashraf surged ahead, both scoring 6/7 in the latter half of the tournament.

In a crucial eighth-round match against Yoo, Bluebaum showcased his tactical prowess with a brilliant 26.Rf4! move, which proved decisive. The final round saw Bluebaum and Terry opting for a peaceful draw, leaving their fates to tiebreaks. Thanks to a better performance earlier in the tournament, Bluebaum claimed the top spot, edging out Taher.

Mahdavi’s Spectacular Comeback

The third tournament featured 53 players, but it was Mahdavi and Martinez who stole the spotlight. After a blunder in round four, Mahdavi found himself at a disadvantage against Martinez, who initially took the lead. However, Mahdavi rallied spectacularly, winning six consecutive games against tough opponents, including GM Jeffery Xiong and WIM Kalyani Sirin.

His impressive streak secured him a one-point lead over Martinez, who finished second, with Terry and Xiong closely trailing behind. Sirin was recognized as the top female player in this tournament.

A Weekly Chess Extravaganza

The 3 0 Thursday events, held weekly, feature three tournaments for titled players, showcasing the best of blitz chess every Thursday at 11 a.m., 4 p.m., and 9 p.m. ET. With thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes, these tournaments continue to captivate chess enthusiasts around the globe.

As the dust settles on this week’s competitions, fans eagerly await the next round of action, where the world’s elite will once again battle it out on the chessboard.