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There were no changes at the top of the standings table in the open tournament. Fabiano Caruana fended off the attack on his lead in his game against Awonder Liang. Out of an Italian Opening, Caruana forced an exchange of queens after a short middlegame, resulting in an endgame with equal chances.
Chess is exhausting - Fabiano Caruana and Awonder Liang | Photo: Lennart Ootes
The only decisive game in this round saw Leinier Dominguez scoring a win with the black pieces against Sam Sevian. In a popular variation of the English Opening, a very exciting middlegame developed. Sevian had a powerful attack. Dominguez first dealt with the most immediate threats and then counter-attacked after White played a few inaccurate moves.
Sam Sevian and Leinier Dominguez | Photo: Lennart Ootes
The remaining games ended drawn. Hans Niemann had a bye in round 9, as he was set to face Christopher Yoo, who has been disqualified.
With her magnificent winning streak of 8 victories after 8 rounds, Carissa Yip followed in the footsteps of Bobby Fischer, who once won the US Championship with a score of 100%. For some years now, a special prize of 64,000 dollars has been offered at the US Championships for the player who can repeat this unique success. With her series, the 21-year-old student moved up more than ten places in the women's world rankings. She even stole the show from the grandmasters in the open tournament with her series.
But now the streak has been broken. In the ninth round of the US Women's Championship, Carissa Yip played with the white pieces against Megan Lee. Both players fought a theoretical duel at eye level in the Giuoco Piano, from which Yip perhaps came out a little better with the white pieces. An intense middlegame followed. The kingside in particular was on fire. At first, the frontrunner had a good position, but then she made a few inaccuracies which her opponent skilfully exploited...
Carissa Yip | Photo: Lennart Ootes
In another duel between two favourites, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova won against Irina Krush.
Jennifer Yu also defeated Tatev Abrahamyan. The other games ended in draws.
Yip's lead in the standings has not changed. She has a 1½-point lead over Tokhirjonova. Megan Lee and Alice Lee follow a further point behind.
Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova | Photo: Lennart Ootes
