IM Renato Terry Triumphs in February 27 Freestyle Friday Championship

IM Renato Terry Triumphs at Freestyle Friday Championship

February 27, 2026 — In a thrilling display of strategic prowess, International Master Renato Terry clinched victory at the Freestyle Friday tournament, part of the ongoing Freestyle Friday Championship, with an impressive score of 9.5 out of 11. This week’s competition saw Terry outmaneuvering a field of elite players, including last week’s champion, Grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk, who finished in second place with a commendable 8.5 points.

The tournament, hosted on Chess.com, showcased the best of Freestyle Chess, where players can collaborate with computers to enhance their gameplay. Terry’s victory not only earned him a $400 prize but also solidified his position in the championship standings, where he now has 10 points, trailing Bortnyk, who leads with 17.

A Battle of Titans

The tournament began with a fierce competition, as no grandmaster maintained a perfect score after five rounds. Terry and FM Artin Ashraf were the only players to start strong, both achieving 6/6 until Ashraf handed Terry his only loss of the tournament. However, Terry quickly rebounded, reclaiming his position at the top after Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son defeated Ashraf in round seven.

As the rounds progressed, Terry and Ashraf found themselves in a neck-and-neck race for the lead. In round eight, both players secured victories, bringing them to 7/8. The stakes heightened in round nine when Terry faced CM Maxim Borisov, while Ashraf battled Bortnyk. Terry’s win allowed him to take sole possession of first place, while Bortnyk’s victory over Ashraf positioned him as a formidable contender.

The Final Showdown

In the penultimate round, Terry faced Bortnyk, where he had a chance to extend his lead. However, he opted for a draw, maintaining a one-point advantage over Bortnyk. With Ashraf and Mahdi Gholami Orimi also closing in, the final round promised to be a nail-biter.

Terry’s last match against FM Rustam Rustamov was a masterclass in strategy. He secured victory in just 36 moves, never appearing in trouble. Meanwhile, Bortnyk managed to overcome Orimi, solidifying his second-place finish.

Women’s Prize Winner

In addition to the fierce competition among the men, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk once again claimed the women’s prize, amassing 20 points on the leaderboard, a significant 12 points ahead of her closest rival, GM Anna Muzychuk.

Looking Ahead

As the Freestyle Friday Championship continues, players are eager to see how the leaderboard will shift in the coming weeks. With Terry’s recent victory, the competition is heating up, promising more exciting matches ahead.

Freestyle Friday is held weekly on Chess.com, inviting titled players to engage in this unique format of chess. The next tournament is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and fans are already buzzing with anticipation for the next round of strategic battles.

For full standings and more details, visit the Freestyle Friday Championship page.