Parham Maghsoodloo Won Freestyle Friday Tournament
The chess master secured victory with 9 out of 11 points in the high-stakes online event.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Gambling
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Parham Maghsoodloo emerged victorious in the latest edition of Freestyle Friday on Chess.com. He topped a field of 112 masters to claim the event's top prize.
Why it matters
The tournament serves as a key qualifying path for players aiming to compete in the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. Maghsoodloo is actively working to secure his spot in the upcoming world event.
Maghsoodloo earned a $400 prize for his performance, while runners-up Bortnyk, Sklokin, Duda, and Shuvalova received between $100 and $250. The event featured six current or former 2700 FIDE-rated masters.
The players
Parham Maghsoodloo
He is an accomplished chess grandmaster currently competing on the international circuit.
Oleksandr Bortnyk
He is a chess master who earned a top-four placement in the tournament.
Sergey Sklokin
He is a 13-year-old chess master who secured a top-four finish in this event.
Jan-Krzysztof Duda
He is a prominent chess grandmaster who finished among the top four competitors.
Chess.com
It is an online platform that serves as a global hub for chess tournaments and player development.
The details
Participants competed across 11 rounds using a strictly timed format to determine the winner. The event drew 112 masters to the platform to contend for both cash prizes and potential qualification standing.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: The Freestyle Friday tournament took place.
2027: The FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship is scheduled to occur.
Culture Shift
The rise of online freestyle tournaments signals a transition toward more accessible, high-frequency competitive formats within the sport. This event follows a pattern set by the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship qualification criteria.
Fans and aspiring players can track the performance of top masters as they navigate the rigorous tournament schedule required for world qualification. Keeping tabs on these results provides insight into which competitors are gaining momentum for major global events.
The takeaway
Consistent participation in high-level online events is increasingly essential for professional players chasing world championship berths. Mastering time-controlled formats is the primary way for competitors to distinguish themselves in a crowded field of masters.
Further reading
For more on international competitions, visit our Gambling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chess.
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