US Championship Rd4: Wesley So takes early lead

by Elshan Moradiabadi
4/2/2017 – Round four of US championship saw several interesting novelties, close battles and surprises in both sections. While, world no.2 Wesley So scored another white victory, this time against the solid and tough nut to crack, Alex Onischuk, and moved to sole first with a healthy +2. The women’s section is now up in the air after the surprise loss by Krush to Yu. Illustrated report and analysis by Elshan Moradiabadi.

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By Elshan Moradiabadi

All photos by Lennart Ootes

Round 4 on 2017/04/01 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2817 GM Caruana Fabiano ½ - ½ GM Xiong Jeffery 2674 8
2 9 2659 GM Kamsky Gata ½ - ½ GM Nakamura Hikaru 2793 7
3 10 2646 GM Naroditsky Daniel ½ - ½ GM Robson Ray 2668 6
4 11 2556 GM Shabalov Alexander ½ - ½ GM Akobian Varuzhan 2645 5
5 1 2666 GM Shankland Samuel L ½ - ½ GM Zherebukh Yaroslav 2605 4
6 2 2822 GM So Wesley 1 - 0 GM Onischuk Alexander 2667 3

Defending champion and world no.3 Fabiano Caruana is still seeking his breakthrough in the tournament but he will have to wait at least one more round as his endeavor against world junior champion Jeffery Xiong did not result in a victory despite his subtle novelty. Xiong maintained a low-key defense, which eventually got him into serious danger though he was never quite at the point of no-return.  Caruana was finally served with a single chance to really stick it at the young(er) GM, but the sole window of opportunity passed and Xiong held fast.

Jeffery Xiong faced a tough battle, and was on the brink of losing, but held strong and showed his mental strength

Fabiano Caruana - Jeffery Xiong

[Event "U.S. Championships Men 2017"] [Site "Saint Louis"] [Date "2017.04.01"] [Round "4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Xiong, Jeffery"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2817"] [BlackElo "2674"] [Annotator "Elshan Moradiabadi"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2017.??.??"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "playchess.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] 1. e4 {0} e5 {10} 2. Nf3 {0} Nc6 {7} 3. Bb5 {0} Nf6 {10} 4. d3 {0} Bc5 {7} 5. c3 {3} d5 {12 A rare line. Xiong hopes to catch Fabiano off-guard in some rare lines. Well, we all can wish that....} 6. exd5 {12} Qxd5 {9} 7. Bc4 {20} Qd6 { 10} 8. b4 {362} Bb6 {11} 9. a4 $5 $146 {13 allowing e4? At first sight, this looks like a ridiculous move, but later moves show us how 'deeply' Fabiano knows this rare line!} e4 {1126} 10. dxe4 {10} Qxd1+ {274} 11. Kxd1 {5} Nxe4 {251} 12. Kc2 $1 { 11 It takes the engines quite some time to realize White is doing well here! And honestly, it is even harder as a player.} Nd6 {420} 13. Re1+ {329} Ne7 {46} 14. Bb3 {1213} Bf5+ {368} 15. Kb2 {12} a5 {40} 16. Bf4 {446} Bxf2 {993} 17. Re2 {13} Bb6 {23} 18. Na3 {101} Be6 {617} 19. Bxe6 {917} fxe6 {3} 20. Bxd6 {167} cxd6 {3} 21. Rxe6 {12} Kd7 {730} 22. Rae1 {16} Rhe8 {112} 23. Nc4 {982} Bc7 {13} 24. Kb3 {16} axb4 {572} 25. cxb4 {16} Nf5 { 27 in a slightly worse middlegame, Jeffrey defended well and maintained approximate balance.} 26. R6e2 {483} Rxe2 {106} 27. Rxe2 {6} Re8 {4} 28. Rd2 { 29} Re4 {133} 29. a5 {159} Kc6 $2 {33 loss of two tempi!} (29... Ne3) (29... h6 {are both fine}) 30. b5+ {170} Kd7 {164} (30... Kxb5 31. Rd5+ {loses a piece.}) 31. b6 $2 {38 This returns the favor.} (31. a6 bxa6 32. bxa6 Re8 33. Nfe5+ Ke6 34. Nc6 Ra8 35. Nb4 {would give White good winning chances according to Komodo and colleagues!}) 31... Bb8 {37} 32. Nce5+ {182} Kd8 {46} 33. h3 {239} Ne7 {33 Now it is White who has to be careful to maintain equality!} 34. Nc4 {144} d5 {1} 35. Na3 {60} Bd6 {19} 36. Nc2 {45} Kd7 {34} 37. Rd3 {151} h6 {41} 38. g4 {94} Bc5 {31} 39. Nfd4 {52} Nc6 {141} 40. Nxc6 {0} Kxc6 {45} 41. Rd1 {620} Rf4 {317} 42. Rd3 {63} g5 {202} 43. Kc3 {44} Ra4 {326} 44. Rf3 {10} Kb5 {22} 45. Rf7 {515} Kxa5 {93} 46. Rxb7 {8} Rf4 {145} 47. Rd7 { 202} Rf3+ {24} 48. Kd2 {5} Kxb6 {13} 49. Rxd5 {3} Rxh3 {14} 50. Nd4 {61} Rg3 { 170} 51. Nf5 {6} Rg2+ {7} 52. Kd3 {111} Kc6 {14} 53. Re5 {26} Rxg4 {24} 54. Nxh6 {5} Rg1 {144} 55. Re4 {28} Rg3+ {61} 56. Kc4 {153} Rf3 {8} 57. Re6+ {75} Bd6 {14} 58. Rg6 {29} Rf4+ {46 A nice close battle and good achievement for Jeffrey Xiong, holding a second super GM to a draw with black} 1/2-1/2

Veteran Alex Shabalov has finally managed to score a point and move away from the basket of eggs he had been building. It might have gone badly for him too as he went for broke with threats of piece sacrifices, more bluff than reality.

Shabalov vs Akobian

 

Position after White's 26. Nxf7!? At this point it was the best move, but was still nearly winning for Black. Since White had set this up in such a way there was no turning back, the question was: what had he seen to play this with no Plan B in sight?

The problem is that Shabalov’s tactical talents are not to be underestimated, very much the source of his four US titles, and Akobian decided not to find out if he had missed something as it ended in a draw.

One can never accuse Shabalov of not being true to himself

This big game that drew eyes was in Nakamura’s very interesting opening battle against ‘always up for it’ Gata Kamsky.

Gata Kamsky was in emotional turmoil after two tough losses, but came out swinging

Nakamura showed how well prepared he was too, and had anticipated Kamsky's opening so well, that 5-6 moves after the novelty he was still playing his moves in five seconds or less!

Gata Kamsky - Hikaru Nakamura

[Event "U.S. Championships Men 2017"] [Site "Saint Louis"] [Date "2017.04.01"] [Round "4"] [White "Kamsky, Gata"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A46"] [WhiteElo "2659"] [BlackElo "2793"] [Annotator "Elshan Moradiabadi"] [PlyCount "60"] [EventDate "2017.??.??"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "playchess.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] 1. d4 {0} Nf6 {10} 2. Nf3 {0} e6 {22} 3. Bf4 {5} d5 {24} 4. e3 {44} c5 {20} 5. c3 {5} Nc6 {5 Kamsky's pet line as white, the very London system!} 6. Nbd2 {5} cxd4 {5} 7. exd4 {4} Nh5 {5 The new trend.} 8. Be3 {4 Kamsky is prepared and has a different opinion.} ({At the London Classic, Anish Giri instead played} 8. Bg5 {against Wesley So.} f6 9. Be3 Bd6 10. g3 O-O 11. Bg2 f5 12. Ne5 f4 13. Qxh5 fxe3 14. fxe3 Nxe5 (14... Bxe5 15. dxe5 {would have given Wesley a serious advantage.}) 15. dxe5 Bc5 16. Rf1 Bxe3 17. Rxf8+ Qxf8 18. Qf3 Qxf3 19. Nxf3 Bd7 20. Rd1 Rf8 21. c4 Bc6 22. Nd4 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Rf5 24. g4 Rxe5+ 25. Kf2 Kf7 26. b4 Ke7 27. b5 Bd7 28. b6 dxc4 29. Rxc4 axb6 30. Rc7 Rb5 31. Rxb7 Kd6 32. Kg3 h6 33. Rb8 Rb2 34. Bf3 b5 35. a4 b4 36. a5 Rb3 37. Kg2 Bc6 38. Bxc6 Kxc6 39. a6 Ra3 40. Rxb4 Rxa6 41. h4 e5 42. Kf3 Kd5 43. Rb5+ Ke6 44. Rb7 Kf6 45. g5+ hxg5 46. hxg5+ Kg6 47. Re7 Ra5 48. Ke3 Rb5 49. Kf3 Rb3+ 50. Kf2 Rb5 51. Kf3 Rd5 52. Ke3 e4 53. Kxe4 Rxg5 54. Kf3 Kh5 55. Re1 Rg4 56. Rh1+ Kg5 {1/2-1/2 (56) Giri,A (2771)-So,W (2794) London 2016}) 8... Bd6 {10} 9. Ne5 {4} g6 {11} 10. g4 $146 {4 Kamsky's novelty, but it seems both players had prepared it!} Ng7 {5} 11. h4 {3} Nxe5 {4} 12. dxe5 {4} Bxe5 {5} 13. Nf3 {5 Given the fact that the players blitzed their moves up to this point, they should have both analysed this position deeply before.} Bf6 {5} 14. h5 {5 The idea of pawn sacrifice is to address the awkward situation of knight on g7.} O-O {20} 15. Qd2 {16} d4 $1 {1 Great counter-strike in the center which ensures comfortable equality. Please note that Nakamura, who is facing the novelty, has played the five moves after it in 5 seconds or less. Even this powerful shot was played in exactly ONE second!} 16. cxd4 {116} b6 {8} 17. hxg6 {255} fxg6 {10} 18. Ne5 {576} Bb7 {640} 19. Rh3 {24} Rc8 {273} 20. Be2 {514} Bg2 {1539} 21. Rg3 {348} Bd5 {422} 22. Rh3 {103} Bg2 {92} 23. Rg3 {108} Be4 {737} 24. Rc1 {16} Qd6 {29} 25. a3 {1052} Rxc1+ {297} 26. Qxc1 {16} Bxe5 {2} 27. dxe5 {7} Qxe5 {1 Komodo gives 0.00 at depth 42 here! White's pair of bishops and the weak knight on g7 compensate for White's material deficiency!} 28. Qd2 {17} Bd5 {158} 29. Bd4 {37} Qe4 {96} 30. f3 {42} Qf4 {256} (30... Qf4 31. Qxf4 Rxf4 32. Be5 Rf8 33. Kf2 Rc8 34. Bd3 Rc1 35. Rh3 Ne8 36. f4 {and the position is balanced because Black cannot play Nc7 due to f5.}) 1/2-1/2

The other two games, Shankland against Zherebukh and Naroditsky against Ray Robson ended in a draw as well. While Shankland got caught off-guard and was forced to accept a draw with white in only 15 moves, Naroditsky pulled out another opening idea by playing an early Nb3 in the Najdorf. The game got him into trouble, though not because of the opening  and right when Robson seemed poised to win, he exchanged queens and drew!

Naroditsky vs Robson

 

White just played 29 Qf2, and was now open to the winner 29... Ne3! threatening Bxg2+ therefore 30. Bxb7 Qxb7+ 31. Qf3, and can you see the follow-up? There are two: 31... Qa7! or 31... Rc6! Try working out the various lines, as they are both instructive and fun. (Note: you can move the pieces on the diagram)

Wesley So was the only victor in the Open section in round four, and is now at 60 consecutive undefeated games, all at the highest level no less.

Wesley So vs Alexander Onischuk

[Event "U.S. Championships Men 2017"] [Site "Saint Louis"] [Date "2017.04.01"] [Round "4"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Onischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A14"] [WhiteElo "2822"] [BlackElo "2667"] [Annotator "Elshan Moradiabadi"] [PlyCount "89"] [EventDate "2017.??.??"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventCountry "USA"] [SourceTitle "playchess.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] {In the only decisive game of the day, Wesley So, the world No.2 faced solid and 'almost always in shape' Alex Onischuk, who happens to have been my ex-coach during my time at Texas Tech. In the close battle that ensued, Wesley So posed problems to Alex Onischuk which the latter did not manage to solve in time pressure.} 1. Nf3 {0} d5 {25} 2. g3 {0} Nf6 {32} 3. Bg2 {0 It is hard to guess what opening Wesley would choose for each game.} e6 {40} 4. O-O {12} Be7 {30} 5. c4 {268} O-O {114} 6. b3 {4 Wesley goes for an off-beat line instead of playing the main line of the Catalan, which Onischuk most likely expected.} b6 {39} 7. Bb2 {299} Bb7 {26} 8. cxd5 {8} (8. e3 { is equally popular but is also a better known and more probed line.}) 8... Nxd5 {(183) This is one of many common approaches.} 9. d4 {21} Nd7 {236} 10. Re1 $5 {22 Wesley might have analyzed this line after he beat Anish Giri last June in Paris!} (10. Nbd2 {is more popular.}) 10... c5 {374} 11. e4 {17} N5f6 {80} 12. Nc3 {74} cxd4 {187} 13. Nxd4 {138} Ne5 {238 So far so good! both players are following the known theory of this line.} 14. Qe2 {495} Bc5 {183} (14... Qxd4 $2 15. Nd5 Qc5 16. Rac1 Qd6 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Bxe5 {leaves White with a pair of bishops and an ensuing endgame in which Black has no active way to hold.}) 15. Red1 { 108} (15. Ncb5 a6 16. Rad1 axb5 17. Nxe6 Qe7 18. Nxf8 Kxf8 19. Bd4 b4 20. f4 Bxd4+ 21. Rxd4 Qc5 22. Qe3 Nfg4 23. Qd2 Nc6 24. Rd1 Rd8 {0-1 (24) Giri,A (2782) -So,W (2770) Paris 2016}) 15... Qe7 {1369} (15... Bxd4 16. Nb5 Bxb2 (16... Bxf2+ 17. Qxf2 Qb8 18. Nd6 Nfd7 {Looks bad for Black but it is not clear how White can break Black in this position.}) 17. Rxd8 Bxa1 18. Rd1 $18 {does not work either.}) 16. Na4 {501} Bxd4 {57} 17. Bxd4 {375} Nc6 {144 despite White's pair of bishops Black should be able to hold this position.} 18. Be3 {125} Rfd8 {175} 19. Nc3 {250} Qb4 {302} 20. Qb2 {80 a provocative move by World no.2 . Onischuk could stay still or go for the battle. What would a principled player do in such situations?} Ng4 $5 {350 Of course Onischuk accepts the challenge.} 21. Bf4 {459} Nce5 {373} 22. a3 {904} Qc5 {44} (22... Qe7 23. h3 g5 24. Bxe5 ( 24. Bd2 Nxf2 {loses}) (24. hxg4 gxf4 {is very bad for white.}) 24... Nxe5 25. Nb5 f6 {was a better choice in my opinion.}) 23. Na4 {99} Qb5 {53} 24. Nc3 {305 } Qc5 {32} 25. Na4 {250} Qb5 {11} 26. h3 {469 not a draw for Wesley, yet!} Nd3 {81} 27. Rxd3 {4} Rxd3 {40} 28. hxg4 {7 The moment of truth for Onischuk....} Qxb3 $2 {349 Onischuk had played a very good game so far but this is a grave mistake.} (28... Rxb3 29. Qd4 Rc8 30. Bf1 Qe8 {, as both super GM Nakamura and engines suggest, should keep the position balanced although it might be a matter of taste to on whether one prefers White or Black in this position.}) 29. Bf1 $1 {30 The move that Onischuk might have missed.} Qxb2 {237} (29... Bxe4 30. Bxd3 Qxd3 31. Qc3 Qd5 {may be a worthy of consideration continuation given the practical aspects of the game.}) 30. Nxb2 {11} Rb3 {35} 31. Nc4 {19} Rd8 {311} 32. Nd6 {103} Ba8 {94} 33. g5 $1 {91 This prevents g5. White is winning and Wesley converts this game into a full point like a machine. Speaking of technique in chess, one should show this game to every kid who learns chess.} Rc3 {41} 34. a4 {309} Rc5 {43} 35. e5 {9} Rd7 {200} 36. Be3 {443} Rxe5 {50} 37. Rc1 {1} Rd8 {16} 38. Rc7 {1} Rd5 {156} 39. Nxf7 {6} Rf8 {174} 40. g6 {0} hxg6 { 55} 41. Ng5 {266} Rd1 {334} 42. Nxe6 {61} Re8 {97} 43. Rxg7+ {74} Kh8 {3} 44. Rxg6 {244} Be4 {25} 45. Bd4+ {20} 1-0

Men's standings after four rounds

Round 4 on 2017/04/01 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2359 WGM Nemcova Katerina
½ - ½
IM Zatonskih Anna 2451 8
2 9 2262 WFM Virkud Apurva
0 - 1
IM Paikidze Nazi 2369 7
3 10 2234 WFM Yip Carissa
1 - 0
WIM Nguyen Emily 2173 6
4 11 2444 GM Krush Irina
0 - 1
WIM Yu Jennifer R 2196 5
5 1 2257 WGM Sharevich Anna
½ - ½
WGM Abrahamyan Tatev 2364 4
6 2 2162 WCM Feng Maggie
1 - 0
WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca 2272 3

In the women’s section, however, the biggest shocker came as the leader and seven-times US champion, GM Irina Krush went down with white at the hands of youngster and, so far the real ‘black cat’ of top seeds, Jennifer Yu.

On the white side of a calm Schlechter Slav, Krush got the upper hand early on and many expected a one-sided victory from the highly-decorated grandmaster. However, a number of inaccurate exchanges followed by an overly ambitious handling of the early stages of the endgame left Irina with a lost position a few moves after the time control.

Incredibly, she even had a chance to claim a draw by three-fold repetition but either missed it or declined! Jennifer Yu played confidently and managed to convert her advantage into a full point resulting in a five way tie! With such a tight battle in the Women’s section, it is hard to single out any of players as possible favorites for the title. So far, nobody has managed to dominate or show any genuine superiority. The youngsters have managed great performances though a lack of experience sometimes leads a half or a full point dropped here and there.

Parents bring their kids to see the event and warm them to the noble game

Women's standings after four rounds

US Championship pairings/results

Round 1 on 2017/03/29 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 1 2666 GM Shankland Samuel L ½ - ½ GM Caruana Fabiano 2817 12
2 2 2822 GM So Wesley 1 - 0 GM Shabalov Alexander 2556 11
3 3 2667 GM Onischuk Alexander ½ - ½ GM Naroditsky Daniel 2646 10
4 4 2605 GM Zherebukh Yaroslav ½ - ½ GM Kamsky Gata 2659 9
5 5 2645 GM Akobian Varuzhan ½ - ½ GM Xiong Jeffery 2674 8
6 6 2668 GM Robson Ray 0 - 1 GM Nakamura Hikaru 2793 7
Round 2 on 2017/03/30 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2817 GM Caruana Fabiano ½ - ½ GM Nakamura Hikaru 2793 7
2 8 2674 GM Xiong Jeffery ½ - ½ GM Robson Ray 2668 6
3 9 2659 GM Kamsky Gata 0 - 1 GM Akobian Varuzhan 2645 5
4 10 2646 GM Naroditsky Daniel ½ - ½ GM Zherebukh Yaroslav 2605 4
5 11 2556 GM Shabalov Alexander 0 - 1 GM Onischuk Alexander 2667 3
6 1 2666 GM Shankland Samuel L ½ - ½ GM So Wesley 2822 2
Round 3 on 2017/03/31 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 2 2822 GM So Wesley ½ - ½ GM Caruana Fabiano 2817 12
2 3 2667 GM Onischuk Alexander ½ - ½ GM Shankland Samuel L 2666 1
3 4 2605 GM Zherebukh Yaroslav 1 - 0 GM Shabalov Alexander 2556 11
4 5 2645 GM Akobian Varuzhan 0 - 1 GM Naroditsky Daniel 2646 10
5 6 2668 GM Robson Ray 1 - 0 GM Kamsky Gata 2659 9
6 7 2793 GM Nakamura Hikaru ½ - ½ GM Xiong Jeffery 2674 8
Round 4 on 2017/04/01 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2817 GM Caruana Fabiano ½ - ½ GM Xiong Jeffery 2674 8
2 9 2659 GM Kamsky Gata ½ - ½ GM Nakamura Hikaru 2793 7
3 10 2646 GM Naroditsky Daniel ½ - ½ GM Robson Ray 2668 6
4 11 2556 GM Shabalov Alexander ½ - ½ GM Akobian Varuzhan 2645 5
5 1 2666 GM Shankland Samuel L ½ - ½ GM Zherebukh Yaroslav 2605 4
6 2 2822 GM So Wesley 1 - 0 GM Onischuk Alexander 2667 3
Round 5 on 2017/04/02 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 3 2667 GM Onischuk Alexander   GM Caruana Fabiano 2817 12
2 4 2605 GM Zherebukh Yaroslav   GM So Wesley 2822 2
3 5 2645 GM Akobian Varuzhan   GM Shankland Samuel L 2666 1
4 6 2668 GM Robson Ray   GM Shabalov Alexander 2556 11
5 7 2793 GM Nakamura Hikaru   GM Naroditsky Daniel 2646 10
6 8 2674 GM Xiong Jeffery   GM Kamsky Gata 2659 9
Round 6 on 2017/04/04 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2817 GM Caruana Fabiano   GM Kamsky Gata 2659 9
2 10 2646 GM Naroditsky Daniel   GM Xiong Jeffery 2674 8
3 11 2556 GM Shabalov Alexander   GM Nakamura Hikaru 2793 7
4 1 2666 GM Shankland Samuel L   GM Robson Ray 2668 6
5 2 2822 GM So Wesley   GM Akobian Varuzhan 2645 5
6 3 2667 GM Onischuk Alexander   GM Zherebukh Yaroslav 2605 4
Round 7 on 2017/04/05 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 4 2605 GM Zherebukh Yaroslav   GM Caruana Fabiano 2817 12
2 5 2645 GM Akobian Varuzhan   GM Onischuk Alexander 2667 3
3 6 2668 GM Robson Ray   GM So Wesley 2822 2
4 7 2793 GM Nakamura Hikaru   GM Shankland Samuel L 2666 1
5 8 2674 GM Xiong Jeffery   GM Shabalov Alexander 2556 11
6 9 2659 GM Kamsky Gata   GM Naroditsky Daniel 2646 10
Round 8 on 2017/04/06 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2817 GM Caruana Fabiano   GM Naroditsky Daniel 2646 10
2 11 2556 GM Shabalov Alexander   GM Kamsky Gata 2659 9
3 1 2666 GM Shankland Samuel L   GM Xiong Jeffery 2674 8
4 2 2822 GM So Wesley   GM Nakamura Hikaru 2793 7
5 3 2667 GM Onischuk Alexander   GM Robson Ray 2668 6
6 4 2605 GM Zherebukh Yaroslav   GM Akobian Varuzhan 2645 5
Round 9 on 2017/04/07 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 5 2645 GM Akobian Varuzhan   GM Caruana Fabiano 2817 12
2 6 2668 GM Robson Ray   GM Zherebukh Yaroslav 2605 4
3 7 2793 GM Nakamura Hikaru   GM Onischuk Alexander 2667 3
4 8 2674 GM Xiong Jeffery   GM So Wesley 2822 2
5 9 2659 GM Kamsky Gata   GM Shankland Samuel L 2666 1
6 10 2646 GM Naroditsky Daniel   GM Shabalov Alexander 2556 11
Round 10 on 2017/04/08 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2817 GM Caruana Fabiano   GM Shabalov Alexander 2556 11
2 1 2666 GM Shankland Samuel L   GM Naroditsky Daniel 2646 10
3 2 2822 GM So Wesley   GM Kamsky Gata 2659 9
4 3 2667 GM Onischuk Alexander   GM Xiong Jeffery 2674 8
5 4 2605 GM Zherebukh Yaroslav   GM Nakamura Hikaru 2793 7
6 5 2645 GM Akobian Varuzhan   GM Robson Ray 2668 6
Round 11 on 2017/04/09 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 6 2668 GM Robson Ray   GM Caruana Fabiano 2817 12
2 7 2793 GM Nakamura Hikaru   GM Akobian Varuzhan 2645 5
3 8 2674 GM Xiong Jeffery   GM Zherebukh Yaroslav 2605 4
4 9 2659 GM Kamsky Gata   GM Onischuk Alexander 2667 3
5 10 2646 GM Naroditsky Daniel   GM So Wesley 2822 2
6 11 2556 GM Shabalov Alexander   GM Shankland Samuel L 2666 1

US Women's Championship pairings/results

Round 1 on 2017/03/29 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 1 2257 WGM Sharevich Anna ½ - ½ WGM Nemcova Katerina 2359 12
2 2 2162 WCM Feng Maggie ½ - ½ GM Krush Irina 2444 11
3 3 2272 WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca 1 - 0 WFM Yip Carissa 2234 10
4 4 2364 WGM Abrahamyan Tatev 1 - 0 WFM Virkud Apurva 2262 9
5 5 2196 WIM Yu Jennifer R 1 - 0 IM Zatonskih Anna 2451 8
6 6 2173 WIM Nguyen Emily ½ - ½ IM Paikidze Nazi 2369 7
Round 2 on 2017/03/30 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2359 WGM Nemcova Katerina 0 - 1 IM Paikidze Nazi 2369 7
2 8 2451 IM Zatonskih Anna 1 - 0 WIM Nguyen Emily 2173 6
3 9 2262 WFM Virkud Apurva 1 - 0 WIM Yu Jennifer R 2196 5
4 10 2234 WFM Yip Carissa ½ - ½ WGM Abrahamyan Tatev 2364 4
5 11 2444 GM Krush Irina 1 - 0 WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca 2272 3
6 1 2257 WGM Sharevich Anna ½ - ½ WCM Feng Maggie 2162 2
Round 3 on 2017/03/31 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 2 2162 WCM Feng Maggie
½ - ½
WGM Nemcova Katerina 2359 12
2 3 2272 WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca
1 - 0
WGM Sharevich Anna 2257 1
3 4 2364 WGM Abrahamyan Tatev
0 - 1
GM Krush Irina 2444 11
4 5 2196 WIM Yu Jennifer R
½ - ½
WFM Yip Carissa 2234 10
5 6 2173 WIM Nguyen Emily
0 - 1
WFM Virkud Apurva 2262 9
6 7 2369 IM Paikidze Nazi
0 - 1
IM Zatonskih Anna 2451 8
Round 4 on 2017/04/01 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2359 WGM Nemcova Katerina
½ - ½
IM Zatonskih Anna 2451 8
2 9 2262 WFM Virkud Apurva
0 - 1
IM Paikidze Nazi 2369 7
3 10 2234 WFM Yip Carissa
1 - 0
WIM Nguyen Emily 2173 6
4 11 2444 GM Krush Irina
0 - 1
WIM Yu Jennifer R 2196 5
5 1 2257 WGM Sharevich Anna
½ - ½
WGM Abrahamyan Tatev 2364 4
6 2 2162 WCM Feng Maggie
1 - 0
WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca 2272 3
Round 5 on 2017/04/02 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 3 2272 WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca   WGM Nemcova Katerina 2359 12
2 4 2364 WGM Abrahamyan Tatev   WCM Feng Maggie 2162 2
3 5 2196 WIM Yu Jennifer R   WGM Sharevich Anna 2257 1
4 6 2173 WIM Nguyen Emily   GM Krush Irina 2444 11
5 7 2369 IM Paikidze Nazi   WFM Yip Carissa 2234 10
6 8 2451 IM Zatonskih Anna   WFM Virkud Apurva 2262 9
Round 6 on 2017/04/04 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2359 WGM Nemcova Katerina   WFM Virkud Apurva 2262 9
2 10 2234 WFM Yip Carissa   IM Zatonskih Anna 2451 8
3 11 2444 GM Krush Irina   IM Paikidze Nazi 2369 7
4 1 2257 WGM Sharevich Anna   WIM Nguyen Emily 2173 6
5 2 2162 WCM Feng Maggie   WIM Yu Jennifer R 2196 5
6 3 2272 WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca   WGM Abrahamyan Tatev 2364 4
Round 7 on 2017/04/05 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 4 2364 WGM Abrahamyan Tatev   WGM Nemcova Katerina 2359 12
2 5 2196 WIM Yu Jennifer R   WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca 2272 3
3 6 2173 WIM Nguyen Emily   WCM Feng Maggie 2162 2
4 7 2369 IM Paikidze Nazi   WGM Sharevich Anna 2257 1
5 8 2451 IM Zatonskih Anna   GM Krush Irina 2444 11
6 9 2262 WFM Virkud Apurva   WFM Yip Carissa 2234 10
Round 8 on 2017/04/06 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2359 WGM Nemcova Katerina   WFM Yip Carissa 2234 10
2 11 2444 GM Krush Irina   WFM Virkud Apurva 2262 9
3 1 2257 WGM Sharevich Anna   IM Zatonskih Anna 2451 8
4 2 2162 WCM Feng Maggie   IM Paikidze Nazi 2369 7
5 3 2272 WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca   WIM Nguyen Emily 2173 6
6 4 2364 WGM Abrahamyan Tatev   WIM Yu Jennifer R 2196 5
Round 9 on 2017/04/07 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 5 2196 WIM Yu Jennifer R   WGM Nemcova Katerina 2359 12
2 6 2173 WIM Nguyen Emily   WGM Abrahamyan Tatev 2364 4
3 7 2369 IM Paikidze Nazi   WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca 2272 3
4 8 2451 IM Zatonskih Anna   WCM Feng Maggie 2162 2
5 9 2262 WFM Virkud Apurva   WGM Sharevich Anna 2257 1
6 10 2234 WFM Yip Carissa   GM Krush Irina 2444 11
Round 10 on 2017/04/08 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 12 2359 WGM Nemcova Katerina   GM Krush Irina 2444 11
2 1 2257 WGM Sharevich Anna   WFM Yip Carissa 2234 10
3 2 2162 WCM Feng Maggie   WFM Virkud Apurva 2262 9
4 3 2272 WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca   IM Zatonskih Anna 2451 8
5 4 2364 WGM Abrahamyan Tatev   IM Paikidze Nazi 2369 7
6 5 2196 WIM Yu Jennifer R   WIM Nguyen Emily 2173 6
Round 11 on 2017/04/09 at 2 PM (EST)
Bo. No. Rtg   Name Result   Name Rtg No.
1 6 2173 WIM Nguyen Emily   WGM Nemcova Katerina 2359 12
2 7 2369 IM Paikidze Nazi   WIM Yu Jennifer R 2196 5
3 8 2451 IM Zatonskih Anna   WGM Abrahamyan Tatev 2364 4
4 9 2262 WFM Virkud Apurva   WGM Foisor Sabina-Francesca 2272 3
5 10 2234 WFM Yip Carissa   WCM Feng Maggie 2162 2
6 11 2444 GM Krush Irina   WGM Sharevich Anna 2257 1

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 14 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.


Elshan Moradiabadi is a GM born and raised in Tehran, Iran. He moved to the US in 2012. Ever since, he has been active in US college chess scenes and in US chess. is a veteran instructor and teaches chess to every level, with students ranging from beginners to IM. He can be contacted for projects or teaching.

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