.jpeg)
Wesley So maintained his full-point lead at the US Chess Championship after drawing his tenth-round encounter against Hans Niemann. The three-time national champion now has 7/10 points, while Fabiano Caruana and Grigoriy Oparin share second place on 6/10. Both challengers also drew their games, leaving So needing just half a point in Wednesday's final round to secure his fourth national title.
Playing white against Niemann, So followed a theoretical variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defence that quickly led to numerous exchanges. The players reached a balanced endgame and agreed to a draw in less than an hour. So remains the only unbeaten player in the open section, with five victories and five draws.
This course offers a structured and practical introduction to the core elements of positional chess.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Strategic Classic: Bondarevsky - Smyslov
Caruana was unable to reduce the gap despite adopting the Scandinavian Defence with the black pieces against Jeffery Xiong. The defending champion attempted to create winning chances, but Xiong responded accurately and maintained the balance. Oparin also drew, splitting the point with Abhimanyu Mishra.
The two decisive games were considerably more complicated. Sam Shankland defeated Sam Sevian in a sharp Sicilian Najdorf, with both players obtaining winning opportunities. Sevian eventually reached a favourable position but committed a decisive mistake, allowing Shankland to turn the tables.
Levon Aronian also scored a victory, defeating Ray Robson in a queen endgame in which he had the more dangerous passed pawn. The remaining encounter, between Awonder Liang and Andy Woodward, ended drawn.
So will face Sevian with the white pieces in the final round. A draw will guarantee him the title outright, while a defeat would give Caruana or Oparin an opportunity to force a playoff, provided either wins their final game.
Levon Aronian | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Draw agreed in Grigoriy Oparin v. Abhimanyu Mishra | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Sixteen-year-old Rachael Li moved closer to winning the US Women's Championship by defeating Rose Atwell in round ten. The tournament debutante now has 8/10 points, a full point ahead of Alice Lee, who defeated Thalia Cervantes to remain in contention. Irina Krush drew against Megan Paragua and dropped to 6½/10, leaving Lee as the only player who can still catch the leader.
Li's victory against Atwell was her seventh of the championship and her third in succession. Playing white, she won a piece, although the resulting position still required accurate play, as one of her knights was temporarily trapped. Li eventually consolidated her advantage and took advantage of a further mistake to secure the full point.
Rachel Li | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Lee's encounter against Cervantes was less straightforward. Playing white, she initially found herself in difficulties but sacrificed the exchange to generate counterplay. The decision proved effective, particularly as Cervantes began to struggle with time pressure. A decisive mistake by the latter allowed Lee to seize the initiative and secure the victory.
Krush, meanwhile, was unable to keep pace with the leaders. Her draw against Paragua ended her remaining chances of winning the title, leaving the eight-time national champion on 6½ points with one round to play.
Three other games ended decisively. Defending champion Carissa Yip scored her second consecutive victory by defeating Nazi Paikidze, while Tatev Abrahamyan beat Anna Zatonskih with an attack against the black king. Anna Sargsyan also collected a full point, defeating Jennifer Yu in just 26 moves.
In Wednesday's final round, Li will face Zatonskih with the white pieces, while Lee will play black against Sargsyan. A draw will be sufficient for Li to secure the title outright in her debut appearance. If Li loses, Lee would need to win to force a playoff.
| Advertising |
.jpeg)