Arjun Erigaisi’s Near-Historic Day at the 3 0 Thursday Blitz Tournaments
A Day of Triumphs and Near Misses: May 14 Highlights
Arjun Erigaisi Falls Just Short of Historic Hat-Trick at 3 0 Thursday Blitz Tournaments
May 14, 2026 – In a day filled with intense competition and nail-biting finishes, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi came tantalizingly close to achieving a historic feat at the 3 0 Thursday blitz tournaments, held on Chess.com. No player has ever won all three tournaments on the same day, but Erigaisi’s remarkable performance left fans on the edge of their seats as he finished just shy of a perfect hat-trick, ultimately losing out on tiebreaks.
Erigaisi dominated the first two tournaments, showcasing his exceptional skill and determination. In the first event, he won decisively, finishing a full point ahead of his closest competitor. His journey through the tournament was marked by resilience, as he escaped precarious positions and capitalized on his opponents’ mistakes. Notably, his fourth-round clash against International Master Reza Mahdavi exemplified his tenacity, as he turned a losing position into a victory.
With a total of ten points, Erigaisi secured first place in the first tournament, edging out IM Renato Terry, who claimed second on tiebreaks.
In the second tournament, Erigaisi faced a tougher challenge but still emerged victorious. After a rocky middle, where he suffered two defeats, he rallied to win his final four games, ultimately finishing with nine points. His victory was sealed in the last round against GM Oleksandr Bortnyk, allowing him to claim first place once again.
However, the third tournament proved to be a different story. Erigaisi started strong, winning his first three games, but faced a setback against GM Jose Martinez in the fourth round. Despite a valiant effort, he lost that match, and later fell to IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher. Martinez, meanwhile, maintained his momentum, winning his first six games before drawing his last four.
As the final round approached, both Martinez and Erigaisi found themselves tied with Taher, each scoring nine points. In a dramatic finish, Martinez edged out both competitors on tiebreaks, claiming his 13th 3 0 Thursday title and breaking the record for the most titles held.
In addition to the thrilling battles among the top players, the tournaments also highlighted the achievements of female competitors. IM Karina Ambartsumova was the highest-scoring woman in both the first and third tournaments, extending her record to 17 total victories. WFM Anastasiia Hnatyshyn also made her mark, winning the second tournament and securing her fifth title.
The 3 0 Thursday tournaments, featuring a combined prize fund of $3,000, continue to attract top-tier talent from around the globe, providing a platform for players to showcase their skills in a fast-paced environment. As the dust settles on this exhilarating day, chess enthusiasts are left eagerly anticipating the next round of competition and the possibility of witnessing history in the making.