Benjamin Bok Triumphs at Freestyle Friday, Securing 25th Unique Victory in Championship Series
GM Benjamin Bok Triumphs in Freestyle Friday, Securing 25th Unique Win
March 20, 2026 — In a thrilling display of strategy and skill, Grandmaster Benjamin Bok clinched victory in the latest edition of Freestyle Friday, marking a significant milestone as the 25th different player to win the event. With an impressive score of 9.5 out of 11, Bok not only took home the top prize but also became the fifth distinct champion in the first five weeks of the Freestyle Friday Championship.
Bok’s victory was celebrated on social media, where he tweeted, “Won today’s @chesscom Freestyle Friday! Good warm-up for a bigger event this weekend…” accompanied by a snapshot of his winning moment.
The tournament kicked off with five players achieving a perfect 4/4, but only International Master Renato Terry managed to extend his streak to 5/5. However, his run came to an abrupt end when he made a rare blunder, allowing GM Sina Movahed to capitalize on his mistake.
As the rounds progressed, Bok showcased his prowess by defeating GM S Rohith Krishna and later overcoming Movahed in a tense showdown. By round six, Bok and GM Parham Maghsoodloo were both on track with 6.5/7, setting the stage for an intense final stretch.
In a pivotal moment, Bok faced GM Ian Nepomniachtchi after the break, where he managed to convert a winning rook ending, taking the lead in the tournament. Despite a strong performance from Movahed, who played flawlessly for the first 30 moves against Bok, the latter’s resilience shone through as he navigated time pressure to secure his position.
As the final round approached, Bok faced GM Faustino Oro and quickly sealed his victory, while Movahed defeated Nepomniachtchi to claim second place. GM Conrad Holt rounded out the podium in third.
With this win, Bok earned $400, while Movahed and Holt took home $250 and $150, respectively. Notably, IM Mai Narva made history by becoming the first player outside of GMs Anna Muzychuk and Alexandra Kosteniuk to win the women’s prize, finishing impressively in 11th place.
Freestyle Friday continues to be a highlight in the chess calendar, attracting top-tier talent and providing thrilling matches every week. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on the upcoming events in the Freestyle Friday Championship.
For full standings and more details, visit Chess.com.