Both Caruana and So grab wins
Fabiano Caruana's determination to retain his title was on full display as he ground down Abhimanyu Mishra after more than six hours of play. The defending champion, seeking his fourth consecutive US title and fifth overall, emerged from the opening with a slightly inferior position. Mishra's preparation left Caruana with limited counterplay, but the youngster failed to exploit his advantage.
A premature exchange led to an ending with opposite-coloured bishops, where Caruana slowly began to generate threats.
Demonstrating characteristic patience, Caruana gradually improved his position, probing for weaknesses until Mishra's defences finally gave way. After 93 moves, the 16-year-old conceded, having defended accurately for much of the encounter. The victory preserved Caruana's narrow lead and confirmed that the event will be decided only in the final round.
Caruana 1-0 Mishra
Analysis by GM Karsten Müller
With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
One of the simplest openings for White to learn, and one of the most frustrating ones for Black to face! With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: e4-e5 attacking ideas
Fabiano Caruana with a chess (and McLaren) fan | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Wesley So stayed firmly in contention by defeating Dariusz Swiercz with the black pieces in another protracted struggle that lasted 72 moves. So later admitted that he had not expected to win and was feeling fatigued, but a steady display of technique brought him the point. He maintained balance in the opening, gradually seized the initiative and converted in the endgame after gaining control of the dark squares.
Elsewhere, Sam Sevian overcame Hans Niemann after the latter failed to hold an exchange-down position that appeared drawable. Levon Aronian drew his game, remaining one point behind So, which left him out of contention for tournament victory.
Caruana will face Aronian with black in round eleven, while So, playing white against Grigoriy Oparin, will aim to close the half-point gap. A playoff remains possible if So manages to draw level with the leader.
The King‘s Indian Attack is a universal opening: easy to learn, flexible, and rich in both tactical and positional opportunities.
Wesley So | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Results - Round 10
Standings after round 10
All games
Yip continues impressive run
Carissa Yip moved to within touching distance of her fourth US Women's Championship title - and her third in a row - after defeating Nazi Paikidze in round ten. The victory gave the defending champion a half-point lead going into the final round, as Anna Zatonskih suffered her first loss of the event and Alice Lee was held to a draw.
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Overview
Free video sample: Chigorin: 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Nd7/cxd4
Yip's performance in the latter stages of the event has been outstanding, with 5½ points from her last six games. Against Paikidze, she adopted a similar structure to the one she employed in the previous round, willingly conceding central pawns in exchange for active piece play. Her initiative proved decisive, and she converted efficiently once the position opened.
Carissa Yip | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Zatonskih's loss came at the hands of Anna Sargsyan, who recovered from an unpromising opening to score an important win with the white pieces. Sargsyan later suggested that the tension of the final rounds had affected her opponent, allowing her to capitalise in the middlegame. The result created a close chase pack just behind Yip.
Alice Lee, meanwhile, could not find a way past Rose Atwell, settling for a draw with Black. Irina Krush joined the group half a point behind the leader after what she described as one of her "cleanest games" of the tournament, a smooth positional victory over Tatev Abrahamyan.
Krush 1-0 Abrahamyan
Analysis by GM Karsten Müller
From Mating with a queen; a rook; two bishops; a knight and a bishop; to the basics of pawn endgames – here you will gain the necessary know-how to turn your endgame advantages into victories!
Irina Krush | Photo: Lennart Ootes
With one round remaining, Yip leads on 7 points, followed by Sargsyan, Lee and Krush on 6½. In the final round, Yip will face Thalia Cervantes, who sits near the bottom of the table.
Results - Round 10
Standings after round 10
All games
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