Nakamura Dominates First 3+0 Thursday Tournament in Record-Breaking Week

Nakamura’s Dominant Performance in First Tournament

GM Hikaru Nakamura showcased his mastery of rapid chess by streaming his way to an impressive victory in the opening 3+0 Thursday tournament on July 16. Demonstrating confidence throughout the competition, Nakamura told viewers early on that he possessed strong winning chances—a prediction he validated with a commanding performance.

The American grandmaster got off to a perfect start, winning his first four games decisively. Although he faltered in a time-scramble against GM Volodar Murzin during the fifth round, Nakamura quickly regained momentum by winning five consecutive games afterward. His tactical prowess with the clock continued to be a decisive factor throughout the event.

In round seven, Nakamura demonstrated his time-management skills by finding his way out of an inferior position against IM Reza Mahdavi, ultimately securing a victory on the clock. Two rounds later, he converted an equal rook endgame against GM Denis Lazavik through precise time pressure tactics. By the tenth round, Nakamura occupied second place behind IM Renato Terry but possessed a realistic chance to claim outright victory with the black pieces.

Facing GM Sina Movahed in the final round, Nakamura found himself battling the only remaining player with genuine winning chances. Despite acknowledging that he recognized the correct strategic concept but executed it in the wrong sequence, Nakamura secured a draw to clinch first place with 9.5 points—the strongest score of the day.

GM Sina Movahed finished second place on tiebreaks with 9 points, with Terry placing third. IM Le Thao Nguyen Pham captured the women’s prize after defeating FM Matfey Rogov, a 3000+ rated opponent, in the final round with a strong 7.5-point score.

On the Time Control: Nakamura’s Optimal Format

During his stream, Nakamura elaborated on why the 3+0 time control suits his playing style perfectly. He explained that the format sits at a sweet spot between slower classical games and the faster five-minute time control used in Titled Tuesdays. According to Nakamura, the accelerated pace forces quick, critical decisions that align well with his intuitive playing approach, making this his self-described “best time control” for competitive tournament play.

Drygalov Earns Breakthrough Victory in Second Tournament

The second tournament of the day delivered a breakthrough moment for GM Sergey Drygalov, who secured his first-ever 3+0 Thursday title. The Russian grandmaster’s path to victory featured several standout attacking performances, particularly against GM-elect Faustino Oro in round four.

GM Jose Martinez, who entered the day as the player with the most Thursday victories, appeared positioned for another triumph. However, GM Fabiano Caruana derailed those hopes with a convincing victory in their tenth-round encounter. Caruana won again in round eleven but ultimately fell short on tiebreaks, finishing in second place.

Drygalov’s decisive moment came in the critical final round against GM Oleksandr Bortnyk, where he executed a remarkable knight sacrifice on the same square that had worked in an earlier game—a display of both tactical brilliance and psychological advantage. This victory, combined with favorable tiebreaks, allowed Drygalov to edge past Caruana.

Martinez settled for third place with 8.5 points. NM Liudmyla Ivanytska won the women’s prize with 5.5 points.

Terry Sets New Record with 16th Thursday Title

IM Renato Terry did not begin the third tournament as a favorite, suffering a setback in round five against GM Parham Maghsoodloo that left him with 3.5 points halfway through the event. However, Terry mounted a determined comeback, posting four wins and two draws in his remaining games to claim his record 16th 3+0 Thursday victory—one more than the previous record holder, Martinez.

The tournament appeared destined for GM Tuan Minh Le, who maintained a clear lead throughout most of the competition. However, a complicated final-round loss to Maghsoodloo proved costly, leaving both Le and Maghsoodloo with 8.5 points. Terry secured the title with a victory over GM Christopher Yoo, earning the top spot on tiebreaks.

Maghsoodloo placed second and Minh Le third, both finishing with 8.5 points. WFM Nivedita V C won the women’s prize by posting five consecutive victories in the final rounds to reach seven points.

About 3+0 Thursday

3+0 Thursday consists of three weekly Swiss tournaments designed exclusively for verified titled players. Each tournament features 11 rounds with a 3+0 time control (three minutes with no increment). The combined weekly prize fund amounts to $3,000, making these tournaments an attractive option for competitive rapid chess players worldwide.