So loses on time
Only the participants who survived in the Champions Bracket played on Friday at the American Cup. In the open section, the semifinals were won by Levon Aronian and Ray Robson. Aronian beat Fabiano Caruana after drawing the four games ‘in regulation’ and grabbing back-to-back wins in the blitz tiebreakers. Robson, on his part, obtained a 3-1 victory over So in what turned out to be a very interesting match.
Caruana and So were thus knocked down to the Elimination Bracket. On Saturday, the fifth day of action in Saint Louis, Caruana is set to face Leinier Dominguez, while So will face Sam Sevian. In the Elimination Bracket, each match starts with four rapid games (15”+10’), which might be followed by blitz playoffs if needed.
In last year’s edition, Caruana was also defeated by Aronian — in the Elimination Bracket, in Armageddon.
In this course, we will learn how to identify passively placed pieces in any given situation and how to improve their health by bringing them into active squares.


Robson entered the second day of his match against So with a 1-point advantage. After drawing the classical game with white, Robson only needed a draw in rapid to win the match. The 29-year-old reached a rook and knight endgame which actually favoured Black (Robson). However, So found a tricky recourse that suddenly gave him hopes to get an unexpected win.
46.Ne6 invites Black to capture with the f-pawn, opening up the file, with the white pawn two squares away from promotion and the rook protecting it from behind. Robson found the correct reply in 46...Rh4+, but after 47.Kg2 erred by taking the bait with 47...fxe6
Robson could have kept his advantage with the forcing 47...Nd4, surely a difficult move to find with 15 seconds on the clock — though the simpler 47...g5 was also strong.
After the text, however, there followed 48.f7 Rf4 49.f8Q Rxf8 50.Rxf8 Kg7
This Fritztrainer offers you the perfect addition to any Sicilian or Najdorf repertoire, and covers all the minor variations that White has tried to avoid the open Sicilian.
The position is a tablebase draw, but So’s ability to create something out of nothing was certainly remarkable — and in a practical game White had realistic chances of converting the position into a win.
The encounter ended up lasting 76 moves, with So unexpectedly losing on time. The position continued to be drawn according to the tablebases, as Robson demonstrated great technical ability throughout.

Wesley So and Ray Robson are excellent friends | Photo: Lennart Ootes
All games - Champions Bracket
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 a6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be6 7.e3 Nbd7 8.h3 Bd6 9.Bd3 c6 10.Bf4 Qc7 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.0-0 0-0 13.a4!? a5 14.Qb3 g6N 14...Qb4 15.Qc2 h6 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nd7 18.f4 d4 19.exd4 Qxd4+ 20.Kh1 Nc5 15.Ng5 15.Qxb7? Rfb8-+ 15...Rfe8 16.Rae1 16.Qxb7? Reb8-+ 16...Nf8 17.Qc2 17.Qxb7? Reb8-+ 17...Nh5 18.f4 f6 19.Nxe6 Rxe6 19...Nxe6= 20.f5 gxf5 20.f5± gxf5 21.Rxf5 Ng7 22.Rf3 Rae8 23.Qf2 Ng6 24.g4 Nh8 25.h4 Nf7 26.g5 f5 27.Ne2! 27.Bxf5?! Nxf5 28.Rxf5 Qd7 27...Qd7 28.Nf4! 28.Bxf5? Nxf5 29.Rxf5 Rxe3-+ 28...R6e7 29.g6! hxg6 29...Nd6± 30.Nxg6 Re6 31.Qg2 31.Bxf5? Nxf5 32.Qg2 Kh7-+ 32...Rxe3? 33.Rexe3 Nxe3 34.Rxe3+- 32...Nxe3? 33.Rfxe3 Rxe3 34.Rxe3+- 31...Nd6 31...Nh6± 32.Ne5 Rxe5 33.dxe5 Rxe5 32.Ne5+- Qe7 33.Bxf5 Ndxf5? 33...Rf6 34.Rxf5+- Qxh4 35.Ref1 Qe4 36.Qg5 36.Qxe4 dxe4 37.Rg5 Rf8+- 36...Rh6 37.Qxh6 Nxf5 38.Qg5+ Ng7 39.Ng4 Re6 40.Nf6+ Rxf6 41.Rxf6 Qb1+ 42.Rf1 Qxb2 43.Qe7 Qe2 43...Kh7 44.Kh1 Qe2 44.Rf8++- 44.Qxb7 Qxe3+ 45.Rf2 Qg5+ 46.Kf1 Qc1+ 47.Kg2 Qg5+ 48.Kf3 Qf5+ 49.Ke3 Qe4+ 50.Kd2 Qxd4+ 51.Ke1 Qe3+ 52.Re2 Qc1+ 53.Kf2 Qf4+ 54.Ke1 Qc1+ 55.Kf2 Qf4+ 56.Kg1 Qg3+ 57.Kf1 Qh3+ 58.Ke1 Qh4+ 59.Rf2 Qe4+ 60.Re2 Qh4+ 61.Rf2 Qe4+ 62.Re2 Qh4+= 44...Kh7 45.Qh4+ 45.Qxb7 Qxe3+ 46.Rf2 Qc1+ 47.Kg2 Qg5+ 48.Kf1 Qc1+ 49.Kg2 Qg5+ 50.Kf3 Qf5+ 51.Ke3 Qe4+ 52.Kd2 Qxd4+ 53.Ke1 Qe4+ 54.Kd1 Qd4+ 55.Rd2 Qxa4+ 56.Rc2 Kg8= 45...Nh5 46.Rf2 Qd1+ 47.Kh2 Kg6 48.Qh3 1–0 - Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Caruana,F | 2804 | Oparin,G | 2671 | 1–0 | 2024 | D37 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
So,W | 2757 | Shankland,S | 2674 | ½–½ | 2024 | A65 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
Dominguez Perez,L | 2749 | Robson,R | 2696 | 1–0 | 2024 | B90 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | Sevian,S | 2697 | ½–½ | 2024 | A20 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
Sevian,S | 2697 | Aronian,L | 2722 | ½–½ | 2024 | D85 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Robson,R | 2696 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2749 | 1–0 | 2024 | E53 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Shankland,S | 2674 | So,W | 2757 | 0–1 | 2024 | C67 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Oparin,G | 2671 | Caruana,F | 2804 | 0–1 | 2024 | D02 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Sevian,S | 2697 | Aronian,L | 2722 | ½–½ | 2024 | C54 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Robson,R | 2696 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2749 | 1–0 | 2024 | E48 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Shankland,S | 2674 | So,W | 2757 | 0–1 | 2024 | D31 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Oparin,G | 2671 | Caruana,F | 2804 | ½–½ | 2024 | D16 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Dominguez Perez,L | 2749 | Robson,R | 2696 | ½–½ | 2024 | B90 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.4 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | Sevian,S | 2697 | ½–½ | 2024 | E04 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.4 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | Sevian,S | 2697 | 1–0 | 2024 | C13 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.5 |
Sevian,S | 2697 | Aronian,L | 2722 | ½–½ | 2024 | C43 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 1.6 |
Caruana,F | 2804 | Aronian,L | 2722 | ½–½ | 2024 | D86 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.1 |
So,W | 2757 | Robson,R | 2696 | ½–½ | 2024 | B90 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.1 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | Caruana,F | 2804 | ½–½ | 2024 | C68 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.2 |
Robson,R | 2696 | So,W | 2757 | 1–0 | 2024 | D31 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.2 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | Caruana,F | 2804 | ½–½ | 2024 | C00 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.3 |
Robson,R | 2696 | So,W | 2757 | ½–½ | 2024 | E48 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.3 |
Caruana,F | 2804 | Aronian,L | 2722 | ½–½ | 2024 | D90 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.4 |
So,W | 2757 | Robson,R | 2696 | 0–1 | 2024 | B50 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.4 |
Caruana,F | 2804 | Aronian,L | 2722 | 0–1 | 2024 | C54 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.5 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | Caruana,F | 2804 | 1–0 | 2024 | B51 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 2.6 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | Robson,R | 2696 | 1–0 | 2024 | B90 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 3.1 |
Robson,R | 2696 | Aronian,L | 2722 | 0–1 | 2024 | D86 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 3.2 |
Robson,R | 2696 | Aronian,L | 2722 | ½–½ | 2024 | E48 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 3.3 |
So,W | 2757 | Aronian,L | 2722 | ½–½ | 2024 | C67 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 4.1 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | So,W | 2757 | ½–½ | 2024 | B50 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 4.2 |
Aronian,L | 2722 | So,W | 2757 | ½–½ | 2024 | C54 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 4.3 |
So,W | 2757 | Aronian,L | 2722 | 0–1 | 2024 | E32 | American Cup Open Champions 2024 | 4.4 |
Please, wait...
Women’s: Krush and Lee in yet another final
This is the third edition of the American Cup, and for a third year in a row Irina Krush and Alice Lee reached the final of the Champions Bracket in the women’s section. Both in 2022 and 2023, Krush won the final of the ‘upper bracket’, Lee bounced back by winning the ‘lower bracket’ and Krush won the rematch to grab back-to-back titles.
Both finalists entered the second day of their confrontations with a 2-point lead. Lee grabbed a third win over Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova to end the match at once, while Krush lost her classical encounter against Nazi Paikidze before securing match victory with a win in the rapid.
In the Elimination Bracket, Tokhirjonova is set to face Zoey Tang on Saturday while Paikidze faces Jennifer Yu.
In a total of 6 chapters, we look at the following aspects: the right decision based on tactical factors, decisions in exchanges and moves, complex and psychological decisions in longer games and in defence.


Facing Tokhirjonova’s risky setup — she was in a must-win situation — Lee quickly got an edge with the white pieces. It did not take long before Black’s position collapsed, and it was all fun for the 14-year-old prodigy once every tactical idea in the position seemed to work for her.
Lee v. Tokhirjonova - Game #3
White is already two pawns up and has a strong central passer on the d-file, but 32.Qxe6 is a deadly shot that resolves matters quickly. There followed 32...Qxc4 33.Nf6+, and Tokhirjonova threw in the towel.
33...Kg7 loses the queen, as the bishop would be pinned by the rook, while 33...Kh8 also gives way to 34.Qxc4, since 34...Bxc4 would allow 35.Rxh7#. Brilliant!

Alice Lee | Photo: Lennart Ootes
All games - Champions Bracket
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.Rb1 a5 6.e3 Nge7 7.d3 d6 8.Nge2 Be6 9.Nd5 0-0 10.0-0 Nb4 11.Nxe7+ Qxe7 12.a3 Nc6 13.Nc3 Qd7 14.Re1 f5 15.Nd5 a4 16.Nc3 e4 17.Nxa4 17.dxe4= Bxc4 18.f4 17...Ne5 18.b3 18.d4 18...Nxd3-+ 18...exd3 19.Nb2 19.Re2 b5 20.Nb2 bxc4 20...Rxa3 21.Nxd3 exd3 22.Re1= 21.bxc4 Rxa3 21...Rfb8 22.Qc2 Nxc1 22...Rxa3? 23.Nxd3 Rxb1 24.Qxb1-+ 23.Qxc1 Rxa3 22.Nxd3 Rxd3 23.Qe1 Bxc4 24.Bf1 Rc3 25.Reb2 25.Bb2 Rb3 26.Bxg7 Rxb1 26...Qxg7 27.Ra2 27.Qxb1 Kxg7 28.Rc2 25...Bxf1 26.Qxf1 Rd3 27.Rd2 Rxd2 28.Bxd2 d5 28...c5-+ 29.Bc3 Bxc3 30.Qc4+ d5 31.Qxc3 Rc8 29.Qc1 29.Qa6 29...f4 30.exf4 d4 30...c6 31.h4 d4 31.Rb7 Rc8 32.Qc4+ 32.Qc2 32...Kh8 33.Kg2 h5 34.h3 Qd6 34...Qe8 35.Kh2 Kh7 35.Ba5? 35.Ra7= 35...e3 35...Qa3-+ 36.Rxc7 Rxc7 37.Qxc7 Qf3+ 38.Kg1 e3 36.Rxc7 Rxc7 37.Bxc7 Qe7 37...Qd7! 38.fxe3 d3 38...dxe3? 39.Ba5-+ 38.fxe3 38...Qe4+! 39.Kh2 Qxe3 40.Qa2 40.Be5 40...d3-+ 41.Ba5 41...h4! 42.Qg2 Kh7 42...Bd4 43.Bb4 g5 44.Qa8+ Kh7 45.Qb7+ Bg7 43.Bd2? 43.Qg1-+ Bd4 44.Qg2 43...hxg3+ 44.Kh1 Qf2 45.Qxf2 gxf2 46.Kg2 46...Bd4! 47.Kf1 Kg7 48.f5 gxf5 49.Kg2 Kg6 50.Bf4 Kf6 51.Kf1 Ke6 52.h4 Kd5 53.h5 Kc4 54.h6 Kc3 55.h7 d2 0–1 - Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Krush,I | 2421 | Tang,Z | 2253 | 0–1 | 2024 | A25 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
Tokhirjonova,G | 2365 | Yu,J | 2279 | 1–0 | 2024 | D26 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Abrahamyan,T | 2308 | 1–0 | 2024 | E04 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
Zatonskih,A | 2348 | Paikidze,N | 2319 | 0–1 | 2024 | E80 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.1 |
Paikidze,N | 2319 | Zatonskih,A | 2348 | 1–0 | 2024 | E07 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Abrahamyan,T | 2308 | Lee,A | 2356 | 0–1 | 2024 | C43 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Yu,J | 2279 | Tokhirjonova,G | 2365 | 0–1 | 2024 | D45 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Tang,Z | 2253 | Krush,I | 2421 | 0–1 | 2024 | E71 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.2 |
Paikidze,N | 2319 | Zatonskih,A | 2348 | ½–½ | 2024 | E06 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Abrahamyan,T | 2308 | Lee,A | 2356 | ½–½ | 2024 | C43 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Yu,J | 2279 | Tokhirjonova,G | 2365 | ½–½ | 2024 | D45 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Tang,Z | 2253 | Krush,I | 2421 | 0–1 | 2024 | E11 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.3 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Tang,Z | 2253 | 1–0 | 2024 | A57 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 1.4 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Paikidze,N | 2319 | 1–0 | 2024 | E49 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 2.1 |
Tokhirjonova,G | 2365 | Lee,A | 2356 | 0–1 | 2024 | A14 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 2.1 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Tokhirjonova,G | 2365 | 1–0 | 2024 | E04 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 2.2 |
Paikidze,N | 2319 | Krush,I | 2421 | 0–1 | 2024 | A46 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 2.2 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Tokhirjonova,G | 2365 | 1–0 | 2024 | E12 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 2.3 |
Paikidze,N | 2319 | Krush,I | 2421 | 1–0 | 2024 | B26 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 2.3 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Paikidze,N | 2319 | 1–0 | 2024 | E91 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 2.4 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Lee,A | 2356 | 1–0 | 2024 | C00 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 3.1 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Krush,I | 2421 | ½–½ | 2024 | E11 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 3.2 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Krush,I | 2421 | 0–1 | 2024 | E11 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 3.3 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Lee,A | 2356 | ½–½ | 2024 | E24 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 4.1 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Krush,I | 2421 | 1–0 | 2024 | E11 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 4.2 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Krush,I | 2421 | 1–0 | 2024 | A56 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 4.3 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Lee,A | 2356 | 1–0 | 2024 | D60 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 5.1 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Krush,I | 2421 | 1–0 | 2024 | E11 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 5.2 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Krush,I | 2421 | 0–1 | 2024 | E11 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 5.3 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Lee,A | 2356 | 0–1 | 2024 | E24 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 5.4 |
Krush,I | 2421 | Lee,A | 2356 | 0–1 | 2024 | D58 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 5.5 |
Lee,A | 2356 | Krush,I | 2421 | 1–0 | 2024 | E93 | American Cup Women Champions 2024 | 5.6 |
Please, wait...
Links