GM Sam Sevian Makes History with Victory in Freestyle Friday Tournament on February 14
Breaking News: GM Sam Sevian Makes History by Winning Freestyle Friday Tournament
In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Grandmaster Sam Sevian emerged victorious in the Freestyle Friday tournament held on February 14. With an impressive score of 9.5 points, Sevian secured an outright victory and etched his name in the history books as the first U.S. player to win a Freestyle Friday event.
The tournament, which saw a total of 380 players competing, kicked off just hours after the conclusion of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Weissenhaus. Notably, reigning world champion GM Magnus Carlsen also participated in the event, but decided to withdraw after four rounds despite a perfect score up to that point.
Sevian’s path to victory was marked by an undefeated streak, with draws only in rounds four, six, and nine. In a dramatic turn of events, the final showdown between Sevian and GM Parham Maghsoodloo, the sole leader with nine points, lasted for over 100 moves. Maghsoodloo made a critical mistake on move 61, leading to Sevian’s triumph as the tournament’s only player with 9.5 points.
Maghsoodloo, who narrowly missed out on a double win in Freestyle Friday and Titled Tuesday in the same week, secured fourth place in the tournament. GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda and GM Denis Lazavik also delivered strong performances to claim second and third place respectively.
All top four finishers in the event had previously secured paid finishes in last week’s Titled Tuesday, showcasing their consistent prowess in competitive chess. Sevian’s victory earned him a prize of $400, with Duda and Lazavik taking home $250 and $150 respectively.
Freestyle Friday, a weekly tournament dedicated to Freestyle Chess for titled players, continues to attract top talent and provide thrilling matchups for chess enthusiasts worldwide. The event, which begins at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, has become a staple in the chess community for its high-level competition and exciting gameplay.
Congratulations to GM Sam Sevian on his historic win and for showcasing exceptional skill and determination in the Freestyle Friday tournament!