March 19 Highlights: Dominant Performances in 3 0 Thursday Tournaments
Title: Chess Titans Clash in Thrilling 3 0 Thursday Tournaments
Date: March 19, 2026
In a stunning display of skill and strategy, the latest edition of the 3 0 Thursday tournaments saw an unprecedented level of competition, with all three winners achieving remarkable scores of ten or more victories. The event, which has become a staple for chess enthusiasts, showcased the prowess of some of the world’s top players, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats.
Aravindh Chithambaram Shines in First Tournament
The day kicked off with GM Aravindh Chithambaram claiming victory in the first tournament, finishing with an impressive 10 out of 11 points. Despite a setback in the second round against FM Erekle Tabatadze, Chithambaram rebounded spectacularly, winning nine consecutive matches. His path to victory included defeating formidable opponents such as GM Matthias Bluebaum and IM Renato Terry, the latter being the most successful player in previous 3 0 Thursday events. Chithambaram sealed his triumph with a brilliant tactical finish against GM Parham Maghsoodloo, showcasing his exceptional skills.
Following closely was GM Denis Lazavik, who secured second place with nine points, edging out GM Sina Movahed on tiebreaks.
Duda Dominates in Second Tournament
The second tournament featured GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda, who nearly achieved perfection with a score of 10.5 out of 11. Duda faced a significant challenge in round three against IM Levy Rozman, who had previously bested him in their last two encounters. However, Duda managed to hold Rozman to a draw and went on to win the remaining eight games, clinching first place by a comfortable 1.5-point margin. His victory was solidified with a decisive win against GM Igor Vakhlamov in the final round.
GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac finished in second place with nine points, while Bluebaum rounded out the top three with 8.5 points.
Movahed Claims Third Tournament Title
In the final tournament of the day, GM Sina Movahed continued his impressive form, winning the event with a score of 10.5 points. Movahed, who had recently triumphed in the under-16 ChessKid Youth Championship and a Titled Tuesday event, faced only one hiccup—a draw against fellow Iranian GM Parham Maghsoodloo. After that, he surged ahead, including a notable victory against GM Emin Ohanyan, who had been leading the tournament.
IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher finished in second place with nine points, while Ohanyan secured third with 8.5 points.
Women’s Prizes Awarded
The women’s prizes were also fiercely contested. IM Polina Shuvalova took home the top prize in the first tournament with seven points, followed by IM Meri Arabidze in the second event with five points, and IM Deysi Cori in the third tournament with 6.5 points.
A Day to Remember
The 3 0 Thursday series continues to captivate chess fans with its thrilling format and high-stakes competition. With a combined prize fund of $3,000 each week, the event not only highlights the talents of verified titled players but also fosters a vibrant community of chess enthusiasts. As the dust settles on this remarkable day, fans eagerly await the next installment of this electrifying tournament series.