2014 US Ch. Rd3: Lenderman takes lead in men's

by Albert Silver
5/11/2014 – It has been an unusual championship so far, with top seed Gata Kamsky unable to break free from his winless rut. Timur Gareev beat Naroditsky, but Lenderman was the star of the round as he beat Ramirez and is in the lead with 2.5/3. In the women's section, Krush drew, allowing her close rival Anna Zatonskih to level with her, but the eyes were once more on the youngest player.

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For the sixth consecutive year, the best chess players in the U.S. have gathered in Saint Louis to fight for the title of U.S. Champion and U.S. Women's Champion. GM Gata Kamsky is defending his title while recently anointed grandmaster Irina Krush is looking for her sixth title at the 2014 U.S. Women's Championship. The events are being held simultaneously from May 7 through May 20 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL). The games start each day at 1 p.m., with every move broadcast live and discussed by the powerful commentary team of GMs Yasser Seirawan, WGM Jennifer Shahade and Maurice Ashley on the official web site.

Round 3 report

Men results

White Rtng
Result
Black Rtng
Akobian, Varuzhan 2643
½-½
Onischuk, Alexander 2668
Friedel, Joshua E 2505
½-½
Molner, Mackenzie 2522
Gareev, Timur 2653
1-0
Naroditsky, Daniel 2543
Ramirez, Alejandro 2595
0-1
Lenderman, Aleksandr 2582
Robson, Ray 2631
½-½
Kamsky, Gata 2713
Erenburg, Sergey 2633
½-½
Shankland, Samuel L 2634

Despite his visible good cheer, Sam Shankland is among the several players
who have been unable to score a win. On the positive side, he has also not lost.

Josh Friedel, who has graciously contributed several great analyses to our readers,
split the point with US Championship newbie, Mac Molner

Ray Robson faced Gata Kamsky's Berlin, but was never in danger. As to the reigning champion,
and overwhelming Elo favorite, the lack of wins has to begin to worry him.

Daniel Naroditsky fell to the second-seed Timur Gareev after being outplayed positionally
and finding himself with a badly imprisoned bishop in a hopeless endgame.

Timur Gareev

Originally from Uzbekistan, Grandmaster Timur Gareev is a formidable opponent with unlimited potential. Coming off an undefeated, first-place performance at the 2012 North American Open, Gareev has proven that he has the ability to make a serious run at the U.S. Championship title.

"My grandfather taught me how to play chess at the age of four," Gareev said. "I practiced the game regularly challenging my father, friends, and schoolmates. At the age of eight I played my first rated competition. I started succeeding in my improvement very fast winning most of the national events."

At the age of 10, Timur said he was playing expert level strength, dedicating 4-6 hours every day mastering the game on his own and working with his coach Georgi Borisenko.

At the age of 12, Timur went for his first serious international event and conquered the title of Asian Champion U-14 years old at Bikaner, India.

In 2004 at the age of 16, he earned the distinction as the youngest-ever grandmaster from Asia. He traveled to the United States for school and joined the chess team at the University of Texas at Brownsville's from August 2005 to August 2006 where he helped the team win its first national championship. In 2007 he tied for 1st with Vladimir Egin and Anton Filippov in the Uzbekistani Chess Championship. Gareev studied Business & Accounting at the University of Texas at Brownsville, where he received his B.A. degree in 2011. He was awarded the Samford Fellowship in 2012, which awarded him a monetary stipend to assist his chess development.

Timur is an exceptional blindfold player, and he recently conducted a 33-board blindfold simul in St. Louis. He is still training to conduct an even larger simul, and he has been quoted as saying that blindfold training has helped him improve his focus. [Source: Tournament site]

Alexander Lenderman has been receiving effusive compliments for his
excellent opening preparation, and not for no reason as he defeated
Alejandro Ramirez, to take the early lead with 2.5/3.

Replay all games

[Event "2014 U.S. Championship"] [Site "Saint Louis, MO, USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Robson, Ray"] [Black "Kamsky, Gata"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [LiveChessVersion "1.4.2"] [BlackElo "2778"] [WhiteElo "2714"] [ECO "C67"] 1. e4 {[%clk 1:30:52]} e5 {[%clk 1:30:51]} 2. Nf3 {[%clk 1:31:03]} Nc6 {[%clk 1:31:16]} 3. Bb5 {[%clk 1:31:12]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:29:23]} 4. O-O {[%clk 1:27:42]} Nxe4 {[%clk 1:29:47]} 5. Re1 {[%clk 1:26:40]} Nd6 {[%clk 1:29:48]} 6. Nxe5 {[%clk 1:26:45]} Nxe5 {[%clk 1:29:26]} 7. Rxe5+ {[%clk 1:26:25]} Be7 {[%clk 1:29:52]} 8. Bf1 {[%clk 1:25:48]} O-O {[%clk 1:30:14]} 9. d4 {[%clk 1:25:07]} Bf6 {[%clk 1:27:29]} 10. Re1 {[%clk 1:24:50]} Ne8 {[%clk 1:24:11]} 11. d5 {[%clk 1:18:59]} d6 {[%clk 1:23:48]} 12. Nd2 {[%clk 1:16:22]} Bg5 {[%clk 1:23:31]} 13. Nf3 {[%clk 0:45:27]} Bxc1 {[%clk 1:22:39]} 14. Qxc1 {[%clk 0:45:44]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:22:43]} 15. c4 {[%clk 0:45:15]} Bd7 {[%clk 1:11:15]} 16. Bd3 {[%clk 0:41:50]} Re8 {[%clk 1:06:23]} 17. Qf4 {[%clk 0:32:58]} Rxe1+ {[%clk 1:05:26]} 18. Rxe1 {[%clk 0:33:10]} Qf8 {[%clk 1:05:44]} 19. h3 {[%clk 0:22:27]} Re8 {[%clk 1:05:11]} 20. Rc1 {[%clk 0:22:11]} a5 {[%clk 1:01:28]} 21. b3 {[%clk 0:19:40]} b6 {[%clk 1:01:25]} 22. a3 {[%clk 0:19:12]} Qe7 {[%clk 1:01:24]} 23. b4 {[%clk 0:17:07]} axb4 {[%clk 0:54:29]} 24. axb4 {[%clk 0:17:14]} Ra8 {[%clk 0:54:05]} 25. Re1 {[%clk 0:13:08]} Qf8 {[%clk 0:50:26]} 26. Nd4 {[%clk 0:11:31]} Re8 {[%clk 0:49:41]} 27. Ra1 {[%clk 0:10:30]} Ra8 {[%clk 0:50:05]} 28. Re1 {[%clk 0:10:17]} Re8 {[%clk 0:50:33]} 29. Ra1 {[%clk 0:10:03]} Ra8 {[%clk 0:50:59]} 1/2-1/2 [Event "2014 U.S. Championship"] [Site "Saint Louis, MO, USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.2"] [White "Ramirez, Alejandro"] [Black "Lenderman, Aleksandr"] [Result "0-1"] [LiveChessVersion "1.4.2"] [BlackElo "2693"] [WhiteElo "2679"] [ECO "C07"] 1. e4 {[%clk 1:30:52]} e6 {[%clk 1:30:31]} 2. d4 {[%clk 1:30:34]} d5 {[%clk 1:30:55]} 3. Nd2 {[%clk 1:30:37]} c5 {[%clk 1:31:16]} 4. exd5 {[%clk 1:30:47]} Qxd5 {[%clk 1:31:36]} 5. Ngf3 {[%clk 1:31:06]} cxd4 {[%clk 1:31:57]} 6. Bc4 {[%clk 1:31:24]} Qd6 {[%clk 1:30:55]} 7. O-O {[%clk 1:31:46]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:31:20]} 8. Nb3 {[%clk 1:31:42]} Nc6 {[%clk 1:31:45]} 9. Nbxd4 {[%clk 1:32:03]} Nxd4 {[%clk 1:32:08]} 10. Nxd4 {[%clk 1:31:54]} a6 {[%clk 1:32:30]} 11. Re1 {[%clk 1:31:30]} Qc7 {[%clk 1:32:54]} 12. Qe2 {[%clk 1:30:47]} Bc5 {[%clk 1:32:10]} 13. c3 {[%clk 1:30:40]} h6 {[%clk 1:31:40]} 14. Nf5 {[%clk 1:25:00]} Kf8 {[%clk 1:31:53]} 15. Ng3 {[%clk 1:24:44]} h5 {[%clk 1:26:48]} 16. Ne4 {[%clk 0:42:36]} Ng4 {[%clk 1:27:12]} 17. g3 {[%clk 0:42:55]} Ba7 {[%clk 1:27:20]} 18. Bf4 {[%clk 0:27:20]} e5 {[%clk 1:27:43]} 19. Bg5 {[%clk 0:26:31]} Bf5 {[%clk 1:21:04]} 20. Rf1 {[%clk 0:17:27]} f6 {[%clk 1:18:24]} 21. Bd2 {[%clk 0:16:10]} Rd8 {[%clk 1:06:57]} 22. Rad1 {[%clk 0:11:10]} Qc6 {[%clk 1:05:26]} 23. Be3 {[%clk 0:07:55]} Rxd1 {[%clk 1:05:49]} 24. Qxd1 {[%clk 0:08:15]} Nxe3 {[%clk 1:05:39]} 25. Qd8+ {[%clk 0:07:35]} Qe8 {[%clk 1:06:03]} 26. Qxe8+ {[%clk 0:07:41]} Kxe8 {[%clk 1:06:29]} 27. Nd6+ {[%clk 0:08:07]} Kd7 {[%clk 1:05:10]} 28. fxe3 {[%clk 0:08:34]} Bh3 {[%clk 1:04:27]} 29. Nf5 {[%clk 0:08:57]} Bxf1 {[%clk 1:03:02]} 30. Kxf1 {[%clk 0:09:24]} h4 {[%clk 1:01:10]} 31. Kg2 {[%clk 0:06:53]} hxg3 {[%clk 1:00:58]} 32. hxg3 {[%clk 0:07:21]} g6 {[%clk 0:58:56]} 33. Nh4 {[%clk 0:07:49]} Rh6 {[%clk 0:56:38]} 34. e4 {[%clk 0:06:52]} Ke7 {[%clk 0:47:29]} 35. Bd5 {[%clk 0:06:21]} b6 {[%clk 0:47:28]} 36. Bb7 {[%clk 0:05:44]} a5 {[%clk 0:47:53]} 37. a4 {[%clk 0:03:59]} Bb8 {[%clk 0:48:07]} 38. b4 {[%clk 0:02:51]} Bd6 {[%clk 0:47:28]} 39. bxa5 {[%clk 0:03:19]} bxa5 {[%clk 0:47:52]} 40. Bd5 {[%clk 0:33:00]} Bc5 {[%clk 1:17:02]} 41. Kf3 {[%clk 0:32:31]} Kf8 {[%clk 1:17:03]} 42. Bc6 {[%clk 0:23:33]} Kf7 {[%clk 1:16:35]} 43. Bd5+ {[%clk 0:22:26]} Kg7 {[%clk 1:16:53]} 44. Ke2 {[%clk 0:22:10]} Rh8 {[%clk 1:16:25]} 45. Bc6 {[%clk 0:22:19]} Bb6 {[%clk 1:14:01]} 46. Bb5 {[%clk 0:22:37]} Rc8 {[%clk 1:12:14]} 47. c4 {[%clk 0:23:02]} Rd8 {[%clk 1:09:59]} 48. Nf3 {[%clk 0:22:19]} Bc5 {[%clk 1:07:36]} 49. g4 {[%clk 0:20:26]} g5 {[%clk 1:05:03]} 50. Bc6 {[%clk 0:20:41]} Rh8 {[%clk 1:04:53]} 51. Bd5 {[%clk 0:20:05]} Rh3 {[%clk 1:02:06]} 52. Ne1 {[%clk 0:19:26]} Rh2+ {[%clk 1:01:52]} 53. Kd1 {[%clk 0:19:47]} Kf8 {[%clk 0:58:18]} 54. Nd3 {[%clk 0:19:29]} Be3 {[%clk 0:58:39]} 55. Ke1 {[%clk 0:19:49]} Ke7 {[%clk 0:57:25]} 56. c5 {[%clk 0:19:59]} Rd2 {[%clk 0:55:45]} 57. Bc4 {[%clk 0:20:26]} Rc2 {[%clk 0:55:51]} 58. Ba6 {[%clk 0:20:39]} Bxc5 {[%clk 0:55:33]} 59. Kd1 {[%clk 0:21:04]} Rc3 {[%clk 0:55:59]} 60. Nb2 {[%clk 0:21:28]} Bb4 {[%clk 0:55:09]} 61. Nc4 {[%clk 0:21:44]} Rg3 {[%clk 0:54:26]} 62. Bc8 {[%clk 0:22:05]} Rd3+ {[%clk 0:53:34]} 0-1 [Event "2014 U.S. Championship"] [Site "Saint Louis, MO, USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Akobian, Varuzhan"] [Black "Onischuk, Alex"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [LiveChessVersion "1.4.2"] [BlackElo "2751"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [ECO "E32"] 1. d4 {[%clk 1:30:56]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:30:54]} 2. c4 {[%clk 1:31:17]} e6 {[%clk 1:31:15]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 1:31:41]} Bb4 {[%clk 1:31:35]} 4. Qc2 {[%clk 1:32:05]} d6 {[%clk 1:31:09]} 5. a3 {[%clk 1:30:19]} Bxc3+ {[%clk 1:31:21]} 6. Qxc3 {[%clk 1:30:44]} Nbd7 {[%clk 1:31:41]} 7. Nf3 {[%clk 1:29:39]} b6 {[%clk 1:31:41]} 8. g3 {[%clk 1:27:14]} Bb7 {[%clk 1:30:35]} 9. Bg2 {[%clk 1:27:19]} c5 {[%clk 1:30:02]} 10. O-O {[%clk 1:26:27]} Rc8 {[%clk 1:29:15]} 11. Rd1 {[%clk 1:22:19]} d5 {[%clk 1:23:35]} 12. cxd5 {[%clk 1:04:44]} Bxd5 {[%clk 1:20:51]} 13. Bf4 {[%clk 1:04:23]} O-O {[%clk 1:19:14]} 14. Rac1 {[%clk 0:51:54]} cxd4 {[%clk 1:06:16]} 15. Qxd4 {[%clk 0:49:33]} Rxc1 {[%clk 1:05:13]} 16. Bxc1 {[%clk 0:47:42]} Qc7 {[%clk 1:01:10]} 17. Bf4 {[%clk 0:44:18]} Qb7 {[%clk 0:54:22]} 18. Rc1 {[%clk 0:37:32]} Nc5 {[%clk 0:48:51]} 19. Qd1 {[%clk 0:32:52]} Bb3 {[%clk 0:40:29]} 20. Qd4 {[%clk 0:28:26]} Bd5 {[%clk 0:40:42]} 21. Qd1 {[%clk 0:26:44]} Bb3 {[%clk 0:39:45]} 22. Qd4 {[%clk 0:22:00]} Bd5 {[%clk 0:39:58]} 1/2-1/2 [Event "2014 U.S. Championship"] [Site "Saint Louis, MO, USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.4"] [White "Gareev, Timur"] [Black "Naroditsky, Daniel"] [Result "1-0"] [LiveChessVersion "1.4.2"] [BlackElo "2632"] [WhiteElo "2751"] [ECO "E73"] 1. d4 {[%clk 1:30:57]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:30:54]} 2. c4 {[%clk 1:31:24]} g6 {[%clk 1:31:05]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 1:31:52]} Bg7 {[%clk 1:31:27]} 4. e4 {[%clk 1:32:21]} d6 {[%clk 1:31:49]} 5. Be2 {[%clk 1:32:49]} O-O {[%clk 1:32:09]} 6. Bg5 {[%clk 1:33:07]} Nc6 {[%clk 1:26:35]} 7. d5 {[%clk 1:32:58]} Ne5 {[%clk 1:26:51]} 8. Nf3 {[%clk 1:33:27]} Nxf3+ {[%clk 1:21:13]} 9. Bxf3 {[%clk 1:33:45]} Nd7 {[%clk 1:16:59]} 10. Qd2 {[%clk 1:31:57]} Nc5 {[%clk 1:13:29]} 11. O-O {[%clk 1:25:25]} a5 {[%clk 1:12:53]} 12. b3 {[%clk 1:13:47]} Bd7 {[%clk 1:05:45]} 13. Rae1 {[%clk 1:07:52]} b6 {[%clk 0:53:33]} 14. Bd1 {[%clk 1:03:57]} Qe8 {[%clk 0:49:53]} 15. f4 {[%clk 0:56:40]} b5 {[%clk 0:47:31]} 16. cxb5 {[%clk 0:52:38]} Bxb5 {[%clk 0:47:38]} 17. Rf3 {[%clk 0:52:49]} Ba6 {[%clk 0:38:28]} 18. e5 {[%clk 0:44:58]} Qb8 {[%clk 0:33:24]} 19. f5 {[%clk 0:41:49]} f6 {[%clk 0:26:03]} 20. exf6 {[%clk 0:41:34]} exf6 {[%clk 0:26:31]} 21. Bh6 {[%clk 0:37:31]} Qb6 {[%clk 0:24:28]} 22. Be3 {[%clk 0:32:49]} Rae8 {[%clk 0:22:41]} 23. Na4 {[%clk 0:28:57]} Ne4 {[%clk 0:22:40]} 24. Nxb6 {[%clk 0:26:59]} Nxd2 {[%clk 0:23:06]} 25. Bxd2 {[%clk 0:27:21]} Rxe1+ {[%clk 0:22:07]} 26. Bxe1 {[%clk 0:27:47]} cxb6 {[%clk 0:22:12]} 27. Rc3 {[%clk 0:25:16]} Re8 {[%clk 0:20:26]} 28. Bf2 {[%clk 0:24:45]} gxf5 {[%clk 0:16:34]} 29. Rc6 {[%clk 0:23:22]} Bf8 {[%clk 0:12:24]} 30. Rxb6 {[%clk 0:21:10]} Bd3 {[%clk 0:12:49]} 31. h4 {[%clk 0:16:28]} Be4 {[%clk 0:10:02]} 32. Bf3 {[%clk 0:15:34]} Bxf3 {[%clk 0:08:51]} 33. gxf3 {[%clk 0:15:58]} Re2 {[%clk 0:07:44]} 34. a4 {[%clk 0:16:20]} Rb2 {[%clk 0:06:02]} 35. Be3 {[%clk 0:12:27]} Kf7 {[%clk 0:06:21]} 36. h5 {[%clk 0:12:14]} Be7 {[%clk 0:06:49]} 37. Bf4 {[%clk 0:11:24]} Ke8 {[%clk 0:06:54]} 38. Rb8+ {[%clk 0:11:04]} Kd7 {[%clk 0:07:11]} 39. Rb7+ {[%clk 0:11:32]} Ke8 {[%clk 0:07:34]} 40. Kf1 {[%clk 0:41:34]} Rc2 {[%clk 0:36:58]} 41. Rb5 {[%clk 0:31:08]} Kd7 {[%clk 0:36:25]} 42. Rxa5 {[%clk 0:26:20]} Rc3 {[%clk 0:36:42]} 43. Ra7+ {[%clk 0:25:48]} Ke8 {[%clk 0:37:07]} 44. Ra8+ {[%clk 0:24:53]} Kd7 {[%clk 0:36:28]} 45. Ke2 {[%clk 0:24:10]} Rxb3 {[%clk 0:36:53]} 46. Ra7+ {[%clk 0:23:11]} Ke8 {[%clk 0:37:03]} 47. Bd2 {[%clk 0:22:47]} Ra3 {[%clk 0:36:21]} 48. a5 {[%clk 0:22:53]} Bd8 {[%clk 0:36:03]} 49. Rxh7 {[%clk 0:21:48]} Bxa5 {[%clk 0:36:22]} 50. Ra7 {[%clk 0:21:12]} Bb4 {[%clk 0:36:50]} 51. Rxa3 {[%clk 0:21:34]} Bxa3 {[%clk 0:37:16]} 52. Ke3 {[%clk 0:21:39]} 1-0 [Event "2014 U.S. Championship"] [Site "Saint Louis, MO, USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.5"] [White "Erenburg, Sergey"] [Black "Shankland, Sam"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [LiveChessVersion "1.4.2"] [BlackElo "2698"] [WhiteElo "2717"] [ECO "C65"] 1. e4 {[%clk 1:30:58]} e5 {[%clk 1:30:48]} 2. Nf3 {[%clk 1:31:22]} Nc6 {[%clk 1:31:14]} 3. Bb5 {[%clk 1:31:40]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:31:34]} 4. d3 {[%clk 1:30:58]} Bc5 {[%clk 1:31:56]} 5. c3 {[%clk 1:31:22]} O-O {[%clk 1:32:11]} 6. O-O {[%clk 1:31:05]} Re8 {[%clk 1:32:36]} 7. Bg5 {[%clk 1:28:56]} h6 {[%clk 1:32:53]} 8. Bh4 {[%clk 1:26:40]} Be7 {[%clk 1:33:02]} 9. Nbd2 {[%clk 1:18:19]} d6 {[%clk 1:26:16]} 10. Re1 {[%clk 1:15:45]} Bd7 {[%clk 1:20:16]} 11. Nf1 {[%clk 0:56:13]} Nh7 {[%clk 1:10:52]} 12. Bxe7 {[%clk 0:51:07]} Nxe7 {[%clk 1:09:30]} 13. Bc4 {[%clk 0:51:13]} b5 {[%clk 0:58:46]} 14. Bb3 {[%clk 0:51:33]} Ng6 {[%clk 0:59:10]} 15. a4 {[%clk 0:50:23]} a6 {[%clk 0:55:00]} 16. d4 {[%clk 0:43:13]} Nf6 {[%clk 0:47:28]} 17. Ng3 {[%clk 0:38:11]} c5 {[%clk 0:41:52]} 18. axb5 {[%clk 0:32:16]} axb5 {[%clk 0:41:38]} 19. Rxa8 {[%clk 0:31:08]} Qxa8 {[%clk 0:42:04]} 20. dxc5 {[%clk 0:31:20]} dxc5 {[%clk 0:42:30]} 21. Nh5 {[%clk 0:31:18]} Nxh5 {[%clk 0:42:56]} 22. Qxd7 {[%clk 0:31:35]} c4 {[%clk 0:43:24]} 23. Bc2 {[%clk 0:31:18]} Qb8 {[%clk 0:42:01]} 24. Rd1 {[%clk 0:18:05]} Nf6 {[%clk 0:37:30]} 25. Qc6 {[%clk 0:16:49]} Re6 {[%clk 0:32:54]} 26. Qc5 {[%clk 0:17:18]} Qb6 {[%clk 0:33:03]} 27. Qxb6 {[%clk 0:16:07]} Rxb6 {[%clk 0:33:28]} 28. Rd8+ {[%clk 0:14:38]} Kh7 {[%clk 0:33:52]} 29. Ra8 {[%clk 0:14:24]} b4 {[%clk 0:21:13]} 30. cxb4 {[%clk 0:14:36]} Rxb4 {[%clk 0:21:40]} 31. Ra2 {[%clk 0:14:58]} Nd7 {[%clk 0:20:39]} 32. Kf1 {[%clk 0:10:33]} Nf4 {[%clk 0:20:21]} 33. g3 {[%clk 0:05:06]} Ne6 {[%clk 0:20:23]} 34. Ra4 {[%clk 0:04:39]} Rxb2 {[%clk 0:19:41]} 35. Rxc4 {[%clk 0:04:53]} f6 {[%clk 0:17:32]} 36. h4 {[%clk 0:04:53]} h5 {[%clk 0:17:41]} 37. Ke1 {[%clk 0:03:46]} Ndc5 {[%clk 0:17:40]} 38. Kd1 {[%clk 0:03:03]} 1/2-1/2 [Event "2014 U.S. Championship"] [Site "Saint Louis, MO, USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.6"] [White "Friedel, Josh"] [Black "Molner, Mackenzie"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [LiveChessVersion "1.4.2"] [BlackElo "2634"] [WhiteElo "2599"] [ECO "A05"] 1. Nf3 {[%clk 1:30:57]} Nf6 {[%clk 1:30:46]} 2. c4 {[%clk 1:31:21]} g6 {[%clk 1:30:18]} 3. Nc3 {[%clk 1:31:39]} d5 {[%clk 1:30:27]} 4. cxd5 {[%clk 1:32:04]} Nxd5 {[%clk 1:30:49]} 5. Qb3 {[%clk 1:32:29]} Nb6 {[%clk 1:30:25]} 6. d4 {[%clk 1:32:45]} Bg7 {[%clk 1:30:26]} 7. e4 {[%clk 1:32:20]} Bg4 {[%clk 1:30:15]} 8. Bb5+ {[%clk 1:32:12]} c6 {[%clk 1:28:27]} 9. Ng5 {[%clk 1:32:18]} O-O {[%clk 1:27:16]} 10. Be2 {[%clk 1:32:42]} Bxe2 {[%clk 1:26:33]} 11. Nxe2 {[%clk 1:33:05]} h6 {[%clk 1:03:19]} 12. Nf3 {[%clk 1:30:28]} Na6 {[%clk 1:02:11]} 13. Be3 {[%clk 1:07:09]} Qd6 {[%clk 0:58:04]} 14. O-O {[%clk 1:05:29]} Rac8 {[%clk 0:52:29]} 15. Nf4 {[%clk 1:01:46]} Kh7 {[%clk 0:37:13]} 16. Nd3 {[%clk 0:59:01]} f5 {[%clk 0:32:51]} 17. exf5 {[%clk 0:58:16]} Rxf5 {[%clk 0:32:15]} 18. Nc5 {[%clk 0:52:16]} Qd5 {[%clk 0:31:35]} 19. Nxa6 {[%clk 0:46:54]} bxa6 {[%clk 0:31:25]} 20. Rfc1 {[%clk 0:47:18]} Qxb3 {[%clk 0:22:39]} 21. axb3 {[%clk 0:47:37]} a5 {[%clk 0:21:03]} 22. Rc5 {[%clk 0:40:20]} Rxc5 {[%clk 0:17:30]} 23. dxc5 {[%clk 0:40:46]} Nd5 {[%clk 0:17:42]} 24. Bd4 {[%clk 0:39:51]} Rb8 {[%clk 0:14:32]} 25. Bxg7 {[%clk 0:38:42]} Kxg7 {[%clk 0:14:58]} 26. Nd4 {[%clk 0:38:59]} Kf6 {[%clk 0:11:54]} 27. Rxa5 {[%clk 0:37:00]} Nb4 {[%clk 0:10:37]} 28. Kf1 {[%clk 0:29:40]} Rd8 {[%clk 0:05:50]} 29. Nf3 {[%clk 0:30:03]} Rd3 {[%clk 0:05:52]} 30. Rxa7 {[%clk 0:24:58]} Rxb3 {[%clk 0:06:09]} 31. Nd4 {[%clk 0:25:06]} Rxb2 {[%clk 0:06:00]} 32. Rb7 {[%clk 0:24:19]} Nd3 {[%clk 0:05:16]} 33. Rxb2 {[%clk 0:24:32]} Nxb2 {[%clk 0:05:39]} 34. Nxc6 {[%clk 0:24:58]} Nd3 {[%clk 0:05:40]} 35. Ke2 {[%clk 0:25:22]} 1/2-1/2

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Men's standings after three rounds

Women results

White Rtng
Result
Black Rtng
WIM Zenyuk, Iryna 2249
½-½
GM Krush, Irina 2489
WGM Abrahamyan, Tatev 2366
1-0
WGM Nemcova, Katerina 2282
WGM Foisor, Sabina-Francesca 2238
0-1
IM Zatonskih, Anna 2469
WIM Ni, Viktorija 2206
0-1
FM Melekhina, Alisa 2151
NM Eswaran, Ashritha 1979
1-0
WGM Baginskaite, Camilla 2267

IM Anna Zatonskih beat WGM Sabina-Francesca Foisor and is now tied with Irina Krush with 2.5/3

Veteran Camilla Baginskaite has had a rough start, but certainly hoped her experience
would carry her through over...

...13-year-old Ashritha Eswaran. However it was not to be as the young player showed
her chops once more with impressive play and fighting spirit. The diminutive teenager is
now right behind the leaders with 2.0/3, and has shown her first-round win was no fluke.

Replay all games

[Event "ch-USA w 2014"] [Site "Saint Louis USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Foisor, Sabina-Francesca"] [Black "Zatonskih, Anna"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteTitle "WGM"] [BlackTitle "IM"] [WhiteElo "2238"] [BlackElo "2469"] [ECO "E34"] [Opening "Nimzo-Indian"] [Variation "classical, Noa variation"] [WhiteFideId "1212915"] [BlackFideId "14101572"] [EventDate "2014.05.08"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. Nf3 c5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 O-O 8. Bg5 Nbd7 9. e3 Qa5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Rc1 h6 12. e4 Qxc3+ 13. Qxc3 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 cxd4 15. Rc7 hxg5 16. Bb5 Rd8 17. Kd2 a6 18. Bxd7 Bxd7 19. Nxg5 f6 20. Nf3 e5 21. Nh4 Rac8 22. Rhc1 Bc6 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Nf5 Kf8 25. f3 Rd8 26. h4 g6 27. Ng3 Kf7 28. Rh1 Rh8 29. h5 Rh6 30. Rh3 gxh5 31. Nxh5 Kg6 32. g4 Kg5 33. Rg3 Be8 34. Ng7 Rh2+ 35. Kc1 Kf4 36. Rg1 Bf7 37. Nf5 Bb3 38. Ng3 d3 39. Nf1 Ra2 40. g5 fxg5 41. Rg4+ Kxf3 42. Rg3+ Ke2 43. Ne3 Be6 44. Kb1 d2 45. a4 Ra3 0-1 [Event "ch-USA w 2014"] [Site "Saint Louis USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.2"] [White "Zenyuk, Iryna"] [Black "Krush, Irina"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteTitle "CM"] [BlackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2249"] [BlackElo "2489"] [ECO "D38"] [Opening "QGD"] [Variation "Ragozin variation"] [WhiteFideId "2022966"] [BlackFideId "2012782"] [EventDate "2014.05.08"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8. e3 O-O 9. Be2 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Bd7 11. Qc2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 e5 13. O-O Bg4 14. Bd5 exd4 15. exd4 Bf5 16. Be4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Rfe8 18. Qd3 Re7 19. Rfe1 Rae8 20. Rxe7 Rxe7 21. h3 a5 22. Rd1 b6 23. a3 Qd6 24. c4 a4 25. Qc3 Re2 26. Qd3 Re8 27. Qc3 Re2 28. Qd3 Re8 29. Qc3 Re2 30. Qd3 Re8 1/2-1/2 [Event "ch-USA w 2014"] [Site "Saint Louis USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Abrahamyan, Tatev"] [Black "Nemcova, Katerina"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteTitle "WGM"] [BlackTitle "WGM"] [WhiteElo "2366"] [BlackElo "2282"] [ECO "C53"] [Opening "Giuoco Piano"] [Variation "LaBourdonnais variation"] [WhiteFideId "13301918"] [BlackFideId "322750"] [EventDate "2014.05.08"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 d6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6 7. d5 Nce7 8. h3 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O Ng6 11. Nd4 Re8 12. Re1 Bd7 13. a4 a6 14. a5 Ba7 15. Bf1 h6 16. Nc2 Re7 17. Bd3 Qf8 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 Rae8 20. Nd4 Nf4 21. Qd2 g5 22. Rae1 Qg7 23. Nde2 N6h5 24. Nxf4 Nxf4 25. Bf1 Re5 26. b4 f5 27. exf5 Bxf5 28. b5 axb5 29. Nxb5 Qd7 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. Rxe5 dxe5 32. Qc3 c6 33. dxc6 bxc6 34. Na3 Qd1 35. Qc4+ Kg7 36. Kh2 Be6 37. Qa6 e4 38. Qa7+ Kg6 39. Qa6 Qd6 40. Nc4 Bxc4 41. Qxc4 e3 42. Qe4+ Kg7 43. Qxe3 c5 44. g3 Ng6 45. a6 Qc7 46. Qa3 Qa7 47. Qb2+ 1-0 [Event "ch-USA w 2014"] [Site "Saint Louis USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.4"] [White "Eswaran, Ashritha"] [Black "Baginskaite, Camilla"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackTitle "WGM"] [WhiteElo "1979"] [BlackElo "2267"] [ECO "B92"] [Opening "Sicilian"] [Variation "Najdorf, Opovcensky variation"] [WhiteFideId "2080788"] [BlackFideId "2014599"] [EventDate "2014.05.08"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bf3 b5 11. a4 b4 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 a5 14. Qd3 Na6 15. Bd2 Nd7 16. c3 Nac5 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. Qc4 Bg5 19. Bxg5 Qxg5 20. cxb4 axb4 21. Be2 Rfb8 22. b3 f5 23. Qc2 Ne4 24. Bc4 Ra5 25. Rac1 Rc5 26. Re3 g6 27. Ra1 Qd8 28. Kh1 Qb6 29. g4 Rc7 30. gxf5 gxf5 31. Rf3 Rf8 32. Rg1+ Rg7 33. Rxg7+ Kxg7 34. Bd3 Rf6 35. Bxe4 fxe4 36. Qxe4 Rxf3 37. Qg4+ Kh6 38. Qxf3 Qc7 39. Qh3+ Kg5 40. Qg3+ Kf6 41. Qh4+ Kf5 42. Kg2 e4 43. Qg3 Qc5 44. Qh4 Ke5 45. Qxh7 Kxd5 46. h4 Kd4 47. Qg6 Qd5 48. Qg7+ Kd3 49. Qg3+ Kc2 50. Qe3 Qe5 51. Qg5 Qd4 52. h5 Kxb3 53. h6 Kc2 54. Qg7 Qd5 55. h7 e3+ 56. Kg3 e2 57. h8=Q e1=Q 58. Qb2+ Kd3 59. Qh7+ Qde4 60. Qb3+ Kd4 61. Qxe4+ Qxe4 62. Qxb4+ 1-0 [Event "ch-USA w 2014"] [Site "Saint Louis USA"] [Date "2014.05.10"] [Round "3.5"] [White "Ni, Viktorija"] [Black "Melekhina, Alisa"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteTitle "WIM"] [BlackTitle "FM"] [WhiteElo "2206"] [BlackElo "2151"] [ECO "A04"] [Opening "Reti opening"] [WhiteFideId "11602252"] [BlackFideId "2022613"] [EventDate "2014.05.08"] 1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. b3 Bg7 5. c3 e5 6. e4 Nge7 7. O-O d5 8. d3 O-O 9. Bb2 f5 10. Nbd2 fxe4 11. dxe4 d4 12. Qe2 Qd6 13. Rac1 Bh6 14. cxd4 cxd4 15. Qb5 a6 16. Qb6 Bg4 17. Rc2 Qf6 18. h3 Bxd2 19. hxg4 Bb4 20. g5 Qe6 21. Rfc1 Rab8 22. Bf1 Qd6 23. Nxe5 Qxe5 24. f4 Qd6 25. e5 Qd7 26. Bg2 Nd5 27. e6 Qxe6 28. Rxc6 Qe3+ 29. Kh2 Nxb6 30. Rxb6 Bc3 31. Ba3 Rfd8 32. Rf6 Be1 33. f5 Qxg3+ 34. Kh1 Bf2 0-1

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Viktorija Ni

Viktorija Ni learned chess at the age of 7 from her mother, Polina, who is an expert. She earned the title of Woman FIDE Master (WFM) in 2007 and the Woman International Master (WIM) title in 2010, earning her final norm at the 19th Chicago Open. Viktorija represented Latvia twice at the Chess Olympiad (2008, 2010) on the women's team. She recently switched her federation from Latvia to the United States, and this will mark her third U.S. Women's Championship.

Viktorija  is the wife of GM Yury Shulman, and they both live just outside of Chicago with their son Gabriel. Their son was born during the 2010 U.S. Championship, in which Yury finished second. [Source: Tournament site]

Women's standings after three rounds

Photos by Lennart Ootes


Links

The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.

Born in the US, he grew up in Paris, France, where he completed his Baccalaureat, and after college moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He had a peak rating of 2240 FIDE, and was a key designer of Chess Assistant 6. In 2010 he joined the ChessBase family as an editor and writer at ChessBase News. He is also a passionate photographer with work appearing in numerous publications, and the content creator of the YouTube channel, Chess & Tech.

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