Exciting Showdown: Terry, Bluebaum, and Mahdavi Triumph in the 3 0 Thursday Tournaments on June 18

Terry, Bluebaum, and Mahdavi Triumph in Thrilling 3 0 Thursday Tournaments

June 18, 2026 – In a dazzling display of skill and strategy, IM Renato Terry, GM Matthias Bluebaum, and IM Reza Mahdavi emerged victorious in the fiercely contested 3 0 Thursday tournaments held on June 18. The event saw Terry overcoming the legendary five-time world champion GM Magnus Carlsen, while Bluebaum and Mahdavi showcased their prowess with impressive streaks to claim their respective titles.

First Tournament: Terry Scores First Blitz Victory Over Carlsen

In a surprising twist, world number one Magnus Carlsen entered the first tournament after a grueling day at the 2026 World Rapid & Blitz Team Championships. The tournament kicked off at 11 p.m. local time, and by the sixth round, only Carlsen and Terry were left with perfect scores.

Carlsen opted for the La Bourdonnais variation against Terry’s French Defense, initially gaining an upper hand. However, as the game progressed, his advantage slipped away. Faced with a potential draw, Carlsen made a bold gamble that ultimately cost him the match.

Riding high on his victory, Terry secured the tournament title with strategic draws against GMs Christopher Yoo, Zhamsaran Tsydypov, and Parham Maghsoodloo, before clinching first place by defeating GM Guha Mitrabha in the final round. Carlsen’s draw with Yoo left him tied with Terry but with inferior tiebreaks, securing Terry’s gold in what was arguably the toughest field of the day.

In a post-event Facebook update, Terry celebrated his first blitz victory over Carlsen, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Second Tournament: Bluebaum Squeezes Past Taher On Tiebreak

The second tournament saw Polish GM Zbigniew Pakleza start with an impressive 6/6, defeating notable opponents including IMs Stephan Becking and Aleks Sahakyan. However, his momentum faltered as he lost four of his last five games, ultimately finishing in 13th place.

Meanwhile, Bluebaum and Taher, both with early losses, rallied to score 6/7 in the latter half. In a crucial eighth-round match against Yoo, Bluebaum executed a brilliant 26.Rf4!, securing a vital victory. The final round saw Bluebaum and Terry opting for a draw, leaving the outcome to tiebreaks. Bluebaum’s earlier loss proved pivotal, allowing him to claim the top spot over Taher.

Third Tournament: Mahdavi Wins Six Straight, Eclipses Undefeated Martinez

The third tournament featured 53 players, but it was Mahdavi and Martinez who stole the spotlight. In their round four clash, Mahdavi blundered early but managed to recover. Martinez, after securing a lead, drew four of his remaining six games, allowing Mahdavi to capitalize.

Mahdavi surged ahead, winning six consecutive matches against formidable opponents, including GM Jeffery Xiong and FM James Chirilov. His impressive streak secured him a one-point lead over Martinez, who finished second, while Terry and Xiong trailed behind.

With a smaller participant pool, Mahdavi’s victory margin was more pronounced, showcasing his dominance in the tournament.

A Weekly Tradition of Excellence

The 3 0 Thursday tournaments continue to be a platform for titled players to showcase their skills, with events held weekly at 11 a.m., 4 p.m., and 9 p.m. ET. As the chess community eagerly anticipates the next round of competitions, the triumphs of Terry, Bluebaum, and Mahdavi will surely be remembered as highlights of this thrilling event.