Fabiano Caruana Makes History with Double Victory at 3 0 Thursday Tournaments
1st Tournament: Caruana Victorious
2nd Tournament: Caruana Repeats
3rd Tournament: Mahdavi Defeats Caruana, Wins Tournament
Fabiano Caruana Makes History with Double Victory at 3 0 Thursday Tournaments
February 19, 2026 – In a stunning display of skill and determination, Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana has etched his name in chess history by becoming the first player to win two 3 0 Thursday tournaments on the same day. Following his recent triumph at Titled Tuesday, Caruana’s remarkable performance has solidified his status as a leading contender in the chess world.
1st Tournament: Caruana Victorious
The day kicked off with Caruana showcasing his prowess in the first tournament, where he dominated the early rounds, winning his first seven matches. A highlight was his sixth-round victory against fellow Candidate GM Matthias Bluebaum, a crucial win that set the tone for the day.
Despite a draw against GM Denis Lazavik and a subsequent loss to GM Haik Martirosyan in the tenth round, Caruana managed to secure his spot in the final round. He clinched victory by defeating GM Parham Maghsoodloo, tying with Bluebaum for first place. However, Caruana edged out Bluebaum on tiebreaks to claim the title. WIM Kalyani Sirin also shone, taking home the women’s prize with an impressive seven points.
2nd Tournament: Caruana Repeats
Caruana’s momentum continued into the second tournament, where he left no room for doubt. After a narrow setback against IM Renato Terry in the fifth round, he bounced back, winning every subsequent match. Notably, he defeated Bluebaum again in round nine, pushing him to second place once more.
With a commanding total of 10 points from 11 rounds, Caruana finished 1.5 points ahead of Bluebaum, who secured second place. GM Rasmus Svane took third on tiebreaks, while WIM Melika Mohammadi captured the women’s prize for the second time with 6.5 points.
3rd Tournament: Mahdavi Defeats Caruana, Wins Tournament
Hoping for a hat trick, Caruana entered the third tournament but faced a formidable challenge. In a gripping match, he was defeated by IM Reza Mahdavi, who clinched victory with just two tenths of a second remaining on his clock. Despite this setback, Caruana remained competitive, reaching 6/7 before falling to GM Alexey Sarana.
Mahdavi ultimately triumphed with 9 points, while GM Oleksandr Bortnyk secured second place with 8.5 points. FM Rose Atwell won the women’s prize for the third time, finishing with six points.
Conclusion
Fabiano Caruana’s extraordinary achievements on February 19, 2026, not only highlight his exceptional talent but also set a new benchmark in the world of online chess. As he continues to push the boundaries of the game, fans and competitors alike eagerly await his next move.