Akopian beats Onischuk in rapid and blitz playoff
The 2026 US Senior Chess Championship was decided in a playoff after Vladimir Akopian and Alexander Onischuk finished the nine-round tournament level on 6½ points. Akopian had occupied first place for most of the event, but Onischuk's strong finish brought him alongside the leader in the final round.
The ten-player round-robin was held at the Saint Louis Chess Club alongside the US Junior, Girls' Junior and, for the first time, Senior Women's Championships.
Akopian began with a win over Igor Novikov and soon established himself as the player to catch. Joel Benjamin and Stuart Rachels also won in the opening round, while Onischuk drew with Alexander Shabalov. Akopian continued to make progress during the first half of the tournament, and although he suffered his first defeat before the rest day, he responded immediately in round five to restore a full-point lead.
Akopian 1-0 Novikov
This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas.
Looking for an opening that gets your opponents thinking on move one? Grandmaster Andy Woodward has relied on 1.b3 for years in blitz and bullet, using it to defeat strong masters and grandmasters who underestimated its hidden venom. While many players dismiss the opening as harmless, they often find themselves caught in unfamiliar positions, tactical traps, and uncomfortable middlegames. This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas that matter most when the clock is ticking.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: King's Indian Setup
Defending champion Alex Fishbein and Onischuk emerged as Akopian's principal rivals in the closing rounds. Akopian remained in front after round six, but Onischuk's late run gradually reduced the gap. He scored 3½ points from his final 4 games, including back-to-back wins in the two final rounds, and caught Akopian, leaving both players on 6½/9 and requiring a separate match to determine the champion.
Alexander Shabalov finished tied for third place with Alexander Fishbein on 5½/9 points | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Alexander Fishbein | Photo: Crystal Fuller
The playoff began with two rapid games. Akopian won the first after recovering from a difficult position, but Onischuk replied with black in the second to level the match. Akopian then won both blitz games, taking the playoff by a 3–1 score.
The victory gave Akopian his second US Senior title in three years.
All games - Playoff
Chess is a concrete game. There is no way around training your calculation skills. Improve your visualization, pattern recognition and learn calculation techniques such as reciprocal thinking with this course.
Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn't only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Quiet Moves
Alexander Onischuk | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Vladimir Akopian with the winner's trophy | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Final standings
All games
Belakovskaia dominates women's event
The US Senior Women's Championship joined the other national invitational events in Saint Louis for the first time. The opening round produced five decisive games: defending champion Natalia Tsodikova, Anjelina Belakovskaia, Olga Sagalchik, Ivona Jezierska and Jennifer Skidmore Smith all began with victories.
Diana Lanni later withdrew due to health issues, meaning that the remaining competitors played eight games rather than the nine originally scheduled.
Belakovskaia and Tsodikova gradually separated themselves from the field. Tsodikova won her first two games, while Belakovskaia followed her opening victory over Chouchanik Airapetian with a draw against Beatriz Marinello and wins over Skidmore Smith and Catherine Dodson. After round five, the two former champions shared first place, with Sagalchik holding clear third on the basis of having played one fewer game than the other contenders.
Learn to master the right exchange! Let the German WGM Elisabeth Pähtz show you how to gain a strategic winning position by exchanging pieces of equal value or to safely convert material advantage into a win.
Belakovskaia took control during the second half. She defeated Jezierska in round six and then won her direct encounter with Tsodikova in round seven, reversing the result of their important meeting in the 2024 championship. A win against Alexey Root in the penultimate round kept her clear of the field, as she entered the final day needing only to maintain her full-point advantage.
A final-round draw with Sagalchik completed an unbeaten 7/8 performance for Belakovskaia. She finished one point ahead of Tsodikova, with Airapetian taking third place and Sagalchik fourth. The result gave Belakovskaia her second U.S. Senior Women's Championship, following her victory in the 2023 edition - she had also shared first place in 2025 before Tsodikova won the playoff.
Tournament winner Anjelina Belakovskaia | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Natalia Tsodikova | Photo: Crystal Fuller
The Leningrad Dutch Defence is a dynamic and aggressive opening choice for Black, perfect for players who want to add some adventure and spice to their repertoire.
Chouchanik Airapetian finished in sole third place | Photo: Crystal Fuller
Final standings
All games
Links
.jpeg)
