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Five players are tied for the lead with 2/3 points after a thrilling third round of the US Chess Championship. Fabiano Caruana, Hans Niemann, and Awonder Liang all secured victories on Sunday, joining Wesley So and Sam Sevian, who drew their games with black. So had to work hard to maintain balance in a Berlin Defence against Sam Shankland, who was eager to bounce back after missing a significant opportunity in the previous round.
The standout performance of the day came from Niemann, who played an aggressive, attacking game to defeat Leinier Dominguez. Niemann later described the win as one of his favourites in recent times, a result that propelled him past Dominguez in the live ratings, making him the fourth-highest-rated player in the US. Niemann's bold approach and sharp tactical play were key to his success in this round.
Caruana also impressed with his victory, outplaying Ray Robson from the black side of a Queen's Gambit. While Robson suffered his second consecutive loss, Caruana was pleased with his 2/3 score, having already played two games with the black pieces. The defending champion is looking strong after holding an in-form Niemann to a draw in the first round and seems ready to challenge for another title.
The most surprising result came from Awonder Liang, who defeated Levon Aronian, one of the tournament's top seeds. The 21-year-old from Wisconsin prevailed with black after converting a tricky endgame in which he had a rook and six pawns against Aronian's rook, bishop, and two pawns. The game lasted 97 moves, highlighting how difficult it is to overcome a player of Aronian's calibre, but Liang's perseverance paid off.
Co-leader Wesley So sharing a laugh with good friend Ray Robson | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Analysis by André Schulz
Hans Niemann | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Carissa Yip remains the sole leader of the US Women's Chess Championship after securing her third consecutive win. The highest-rated woman player in the country defeated Jennifer Yu with the white pieces, capitalising on Yu's underestimation of Yip's queenside attacking chances. Yip's dominant form continues, but she faces a tough challenge in Monday's fourth round, where she will play with black against 8-time US women's champion Irina Krush.
Tatev Abrahamyan is close behind Yip, standing half a point back after scoring her second consecutive victory. Abrahamyan defeated Atousa Pourkashiyan with black, demonstrating her endgame technique in a rook-and-pawn ending. Both players had five pawns, but Abrahamyan's superior handling of the position secured her the win. In round 4, she will play white against Megan Lee, aiming to keep up the pressure on the tournament leader.
Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova also notched a victory in round 3, as she continues her streak of decisive games in this year's event. The Uzbek-born IM bounced back from her round-2 loss to Pourkashiyan by defeating Megan Lee with black. Interestingly, both of Tokhirjonova's wins in the tournament have come with the black pieces.
Tatev Abrahamyan | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Carissa Yip | Photo: Lennart Ootes
