Hikaru Nakamura, Parham Maghsoodloo and Sina Movahed Win 3+0 Thursday Events
Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Parham Maghsoodloo continued their strong recent form on November 5, winning the first two tournaments in the latest edition of 3+0 Thursday. Grandmaster Sina Movahed claimed the third event, earning his first tournament victory since March 19.
The three fast-paced chess competitions also featured standout performances in the women’s standings. Woman FIDE Master (WFM) ranked first among women in the opening tournament with seven points, securing her fifth women’s prize in the 3+0 Thursday series. International Master (IM) Bibisara Assaubayeva won the women’s prize in both the second and third tournaments, scoring six and seven points respectively.
First Tournament: Nakamura Goes Unbeaten
Nakamura made a commanding start to the day, winning his first eight games and quickly establishing himself as the player to beat. His attacking victory over Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in round six showcased the accuracy and initiative that can be decisive in a 3+0 chess game, where players have only three minutes and no increment.
The toughest challenge came in round eight against Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi. Nepomniachtchi had missed the opening round but then won six games in a row, arriving at their matchup with considerable momentum. Nakamura prevailed in a queen-and-rook endgame, a phase in which precision matters just as much as tactical alertness. He later shared an analysis of the game with his audience.
With a substantial lead, Nakamura could take a more measured approach in the closing rounds. He drew two of his final three games and won the tournament outright with 10 points. Grandmaster Aram Hakobyan finished second on nine points, while International Master Tuan Minh Le also scored nine and placed third on tiebreaks.
The result extended Nakamura’s impressive run in online speed chess and demonstrated the value of building an early lead in a Swiss tournament. Rather than needing to take risks in every game, he was able to manage the final rounds while remaining clear of the chasing group.
Second Tournament: Maghsoodloo Keeps His Winning Run Going
Maghsoodloo carried his excellent October form into November. After winning four 3+0 Thursday tournaments the previous month, he claimed clear first in the day’s second event. He opened with six consecutive wins, including a chaotic third-round battle against Grandmaster Alexey Sarana, in which both players had to navigate sharp tactical complications at high speed.
Maghsoodloo’s strong start gave him room to manage the middle rounds. He drew Nepomniachtchi in round seven, reaching 6.5 points from seven games. Playing Black in round eight against Grandmaster Maxime Lagarde, he continued to protect his position near the top of the standings. A draw with Grandmaster David Paravyan followed in the ninth round.
The next game brought a high-profile clash with Nakamura, who was seeking to win a second tournament in a row. Their encounter ended in a draw, keeping Maghsoodloo in front. He then sealed the title in the final round with a decisive win against an international master, finishing on 9.5 points.
Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi tied for the next places with nine points apiece. Maghsoodloo’s victory was built on a combination of a fast start and calm decision-making: he did not need to force a win in every later game, but delivered when the final-round result mattered most.
Third Tournament: Movahed Takes Clear First
Movahed started the final tournament with three straight victories. His third-round win over Grandmaster Jules Moussard was particularly forceful, as Movahed used a direct attack to turn the game in his favor. A fourth-round defeat to Grandmaster Haik Martirosyan interrupted the run, but Movahed responded with three consecutive wins.
The pivotal moment came in round nine against Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi. Their previous meeting in October had ended with Erigaisi winning a complicated game and finishing ahead of Movahed in the tournament. This time, Movahed faced serious problems but stayed resourceful amid a sequence of tactical threats, eventually escaping the complications with a crucial victory.
That win lifted Movahed to 7.5 points from nine games and put him in a strong position for the finish. He maintained his momentum in the final rounds, taking sole first place with nine points. Martirosyan finished second with 8.5, while Grandmaster Ray Robson claimed third with eight points.
The victory marked Movahed’s first tournament win since March 19 and capped a day in which three different grandmasters topped the standings. His performance also underlined how quickly fortunes can change in blitz chess: resilience after a loss, and practical decisions under pressure, can be as important as a perfect opening run.
How 3+0 Thursday Works
3+0 Thursday is a weekly series of three Swiss tournaments for verified titled players. Each event consists of 11 rounds played at a 3+0 time control: each player begins with three minutes, with no extra time added after moves. The format rewards quick calculation, sound instincts and the ability to recover immediately from setbacks.
The tournaments share a combined weekly prize fund of $3,000. With multiple events held in one session, players have repeated opportunities to compete, while fans can follow a changing leaderboard and watch top chess professionals adapt to the demands of fast online play. November 5 offered a particularly varied showcase: Nakamura’s unbeaten start, Maghsoodloo’s continued consistency and Movahed’s late surge each provided a different route to victory.
