Blitz Champions Shine in 3 0 Thursday Tournaments: Duda, Bortnyk, and Terry Dominate!

Blitz Kings Reign Supreme in 3 0 Thursday Tournaments

April 30, 2026 — In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Grandmasters Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Oleksandr Bortnyk, and International Master Renato Terry showcased their exceptional blitz chess prowess, each clinching victories in the latest 3 0 Thursday tournaments. The events, held on April 30, saw Duda continuing his winning streak from Titled Tuesday, while Bortnyk celebrated his second consecutive Thursday title, and Terry extended his record for the most overall tournament victories.

Duda Dominates the First Tournament

Fresh off his triumph in Titled Tuesday, Duda stormed through the first tournament, finishing undefeated with a remarkable eight wins and three draws. His draws came against formidable opponents, including past tournament winners IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher, GM Benjamin Bok, and Bortnyk himself. In a standout moment, Duda outmaneuvered GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov in a tricky Berlin Endgame, solidifying his lead.

After a tense draw with Bortnyk in the tenth round, Duda sealed his victory with a complex win against GM Dmitry Andreikin in the Sicilian Dragon, finishing with a total of 9 points. GM Haik Martirosyan followed closely in second place, while GM Haowen Xue secured third on tiebreaks.

Bortnyk’s Back-to-Back Triumph

Bortnyk, who narrowly missed first place in the first tournament, came back with a vengeance in the second event. After a strong start of 5/6, he faced off against Terry in a highly anticipated seventh-round match. The two battled fiercely, but Bortnyk managed to hold Duda to a draw in the ninth round, keeping the competition tight.

In a decisive final round, Bortnyk’s victory over GM Haik Martirosyan propelled him to the top with 9.5 points, edging out Duda and GM Jose Martinez, who both finished with nine points.

Terry’s Record-Breaking Win

After a setback against Bortnyk in the second tournament, Terry bounced back in the third event, winning a complicated endgame against Bortnyk in the seventh round. He maintained his momentum, reaching 8.5/10 before needing a final victory to secure the tournament.

In a nail-biting conclusion, Terry triumphed over GM Bardiya Daneshvar, finishing with 9.5 points and marking his 12th overall victory in the 3 0 Thursday series. FM Havard Haug and GM Aravindh Chithambaram followed closely, taking second and third place, respectively.

Women’s Highlights

The tournaments also featured impressive performances from female competitors. WCM Milena Kawka claimed the first women’s prize with a score of 6.5/11 in the first tournament. IM Karina Ambartsumova secured her 14th prize in 3 0 Thursdays with a solid 5.5/11 in the second event, while FM Anastasia Avramidou clinched the final women’s prize of the day with an outstanding 7.5/11.

A Thrilling Series

The 3 0 Thursday tournaments, a series of three weekly Swiss events for verified titled players, continue to captivate chess enthusiasts worldwide. With a combined prize fund of $3,000, the competition remains fierce as players vie for supremacy in this rapid-fire format.

As the chess community eagerly anticipates the next round of tournaments, one thing is clear: the blitz kings are here to stay, and the excitement is just beginning.