US Senior and Junior Championships: Round 6

7/23/2024 – The strongest junior and senior chess players in the United States have returned to Saint Louis. On July 16-26, the top 10 players across three divisions - juniors, girls, and seniors - are competing for more than $135,000 in prizes. Find here all games, standings and the daily recap produced by the Saint Louis Chess Club. | Pictured: Rose Atwell, who is now sharing the lead with Alice Lee in the Girls' Championship | Photo: Lennart Ootes

US Seniors and Juniors: Akopian, Yoo and Su sole leaders

7/21/2024 – With 5 out of 9 rounds played at the US Senior, US Junior and US Girls Championships, the three concurrent events have sole leaders atop the standings. In the Senior tournament, Vladimir Akopian leads with 4½ points, as only Gregory Kaidanov managed to hold him to a draw in the first 5 rounds of play. In the Junior event, rating favourite and 2022 champion Christopher Yoo leads with 4 points, while among the Girls, Jasmine Su leads with 3½ points despite having suffered a loss against Omya Vidharti in round 5. | Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club / Lennart Ootes

60m English The Elephant Gambit

The Elephant Gambit (1.e4.e5 2.Nf3 d5!?) has never really been given the attention it deserves. It is a very useful surprise weapon. Let us list the advantages of playing this particular opening: 1) Shock value 2) It is very aggressive. Black can take over the initiative early. 3) Many tricky lines 4) Unorthodox. Black is basically taking the game to the opponent as early as move two. Not many openings do that! It's a perfect opening for young players and club players to adopt. Let Andrew Martin select a repertoire for you on this 60 mins, which, if used with discretion, will rack up the points. I am sure that you will enjoy this unusual tour of the Elephant Gambit.