Bortnyk matched Nakamura's record with his eighth Freestyle Friday title on May 15, needing just nine points to secure the win. That ties them for the most victories in the tournament's history.
Freestyle Friday rewards aggressive, tactical chess over classical precision. Nine points is a modest total for winning the event, suggesting Bortnyk faced weaker competition than usual or played with exceptional sharpness. Either way, he now stands alongside Nakamura at the top of the all-time leaderboard.
GM Frederik Svane took second place solo, finishing a point behind. The result underscores how Freestyle Friday separates the hunters from the hunted. Bortnyk and Nakamura have each proven they thrive in this format repeatedly. Nakamura remains the faster, more intuitive player in rapid settings, but Bortnyk's consistency in Freestyle Friday is remarkable.
The question now is whether either player will extend their record. Nakamura hasn't won Freestyle Friday since establishing himself at the top, while Bortnyk clearly feels hungry at the format. His eighth victory shows no signs of a peak. The next Freestyle Friday event will test whether Bortnyk can break the tie or if Nakamura will reclaim sole possession of the record he held for years.