Oleksandr Bortnyk Claims Victory in Freestyle Friday Tournament

The second-ever Freestyle Friday tournament on January 31 was full of excitement and surprises as GM Magnus Carlsen seemed poised to defend his victory from the previous week. Starting with a perfect 8/8 score, Carlsen was on a winning streak until GM Oleksandr Bortnyk emerged as the ultimate champion after defeating GM Sam Sevian in the final round.

Carlsen’s dominance in the early rounds was evident as he won games in as few as 23 moves, showcasing his exceptional skills in Freestyle/Chess960. However, a crucial matchup against GM Hikaru Nakamura in the ninth round changed the course of the tournament. Despite a valiant effort, Carlsen fell short, leading to a six-way tie with two rounds remaining.

Bortnyk’s victory over Carlsen in their individual matchup set the stage for a thrilling finish, with Nakamura and GM Parham Maghsoodloo also in contention. Ultimately, a draw between Nakamura and Maghsoodloo secured a top-four finish for both players, paving the way for Bortnyk’s outright victory after a challenging 72-move game against Sevian.

With a stellar performance throughout the tournament, Bortnyk claimed the top spot, earning $400 in prize money. Maghsoodloo and Nakamura followed closely behind, taking home $250 and $150, respectively. The tournament also recognized top female player WGM Aleksandra Maltsevskaya, who finished in 22nd place.

Freestyle Friday, Chess.com’s weekly tournament dedicated to Freestyle Chess for titled players, continues to showcase the intense competition and strategic brilliance of top grandmasters. The tournament, which kicks off at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, attracts players from around the world, providing an exciting platform for elite chess players to showcase their skills.