2012 U.S. Championships News
By GM Cristian Chirila
The 2016 U.S. Championship has ended but the chess festival in Saint Louis has one more surprise for the fans all over the world, the Ultimate Blitz Challenge! In what could easily be considered the most anticipated blitz event in the world, Garry Kasparov was summoned by the patriarch of modern chess, Rex Sinquefield, to take on the best players in American chess and arguably in the world. It was an exciting return from someone who many be considered the best chess player that ever played the game.
The event is a two-day, six rounds, round-robin with Kasparov facing the three titans of the U.S. Championship—Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So— in an attempt to prove he is still one of the best players in the world, more than a decade since his official retirement.
The event had an electrifying start, with Kasparov proving his tenacity and scoring 2 points in the first round section. He beat So and drew Nakamura and Caruana.
The players trailing by half point after the first round were Caruana and Nakamura with 1.5p. Round two saw Kasparov have a fulminant start but failed to continue his winning streak after he blundered a couple of winning positions successively. The “gift” recipients were So and Nakamura.
Caruana scored +1 in the second round and caught Kasparov at the top of the table, while Nakamura and So seemed to be struggling with their form and were trailing by a full point. The third round saw the resurgence of the trailing pack, as both Nakamura and So destroyed their competition and ended the day on +1.
Kasparov and Caruana were both facing back-to-back losses going into the last round, and it was Kasparov that immediately started his offense when he chose the offbeat Vienna game. Caruana could not handle the complications and finished the last round on a disappointing 0-3.
The first day was a thrilling affair in which the chess world has been reminded once again what Kasparov can do with the chess pieces. Despite the fact that he is not leading, his impressive opening repertoire, middlegame understanding, and flawless technique can rival the best players in the world even after such a long period of inactivity. The rustiness is present, but the unmatched feeling for the game will always stay. The world is anxiously waiting to see if the big K will manage to add another title to his impressive resume. Games will resume Friday, April 29, at 1 PM Central Time. See you all tomorrow for another day of exciting blitz battles in the chess capital of the world, St. Louis.
SAINT LOUIS, April 27, 2016—Saint Louis is not only the U.S. Chess Capital—it’s home to the 2016 U.S. Chess Champion. The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) crowned Saint Louis resident, Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, the 2016 Champion in his U.S. Chess Championship debut. Caruana was not the only fresh face to take the title; International Master Nazi Paikidze of Baltimore won the U.S. Women’s Championship in only her second year competing in the tournament. After nearly two weeks of fierce competition, the winners celebrated their success at the Championships’ closing ceremony April 26.
Together, Caruana, 23, and Paikidze, 22, are among the youngest pair of U.S. Champions in the tournament’s history. Both players transferred to the U.S. Federation within the past two years, allowing them to compete in the U.S. and U.S. Women’s Championships and adding to the nation’s top chess talent.
“Fabiano and Nazi are examples of how strong the U.S. chess scene has become” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. “We are beginning to see an insurgence of young chess players competing at the highest level and that bodes well for the sport across the country. We join the hundreds of thousands of fans that followed the event in congratulating our new Champions.”
The prestigious tournaments are part of the “Triple Crown” of chess championships held in the United States each year. The third event is the 2016 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, a tournament for players under the age of 21, which will take place at the CCSCSL July 7-18, 2016.
“If there is one tournament I wanted to win, it was the U.S. Championship,” said Fabiano Caruana as he accepted his champion’s ring at the closing ceremonies. “It was a great tournament with great competition. I look forward to returning to Saint Louis to defend my title next year.”
Caruana is currently ranked the No. 2 chess player in the world. He finished ahead of reigning U.S. Champion and world No. 5 ranked player, GM Hikaru Nakamura, as well as world No. 10 ranked player, GM Wesley So to take this year’s title and $50,000 grand prize. So received the second place prize of $35,000.
Paikidze proved to be an unprecedented talent this year, beating the seven-time and reigning Women’s Champion Irina Krush to take the title and $25,000 grand prize. Women’s Grandmaster Tatev Abrahamyan received the second place prize of $18,000.
Historic 2016 U.S. Championships
The victors were not the only noteworthy features of this year’s U.S. Championships. GM Maurice Ashley became the first African American inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame at the tournament’s opening ceremony April 13, 2016. Also inducted into the Hall of Fame this year was Grandmaster Gata Kamsky, a four-time U.S. Chess Champion.
Ashley is not only the first African American player to enter the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, but one of the greatest ambassadors and promoters the game has ever known. Ashley is a world-class commentator who has covered many major competitions including the 1995 Kasparov-Anand World Championship match carried on ESPN, as well as the 2013-2016 Sinquefield Cups.
“I am honored and deeply moved to receive this award,” said Ashley. “It’s a wonderful and special recognition of the work I have dedicated myself to all my life.” Ashley joined 55 past players bestowed with the honor of being a U.S. Hall of Fame inductee.
Ultimate Blitz Challenge with Garry Kasparov
Additionally, world chess legend GM Garry Kasparov is making a special appearance in Saint Louis to take on the top three finishers from the U.S. Championship in a series of blitz matches April 28-29, 2016.
Kasparov came to international fame as the youngest world chess champion in history in 1985 at the age of 22. He retired from professional chess in 2005 after a record 20 years as the world’s top-ranked player. Additional event information, including live streaming of the blitz matches at 12:50 p.m. CT daily, may be found at www.uschesschamps.com.
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About The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.
Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs.
For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.
About the World Chess Hall of Fame
The World Chess Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization committed to building awareness for the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened on September 9, 2011, in the Central West End after moving from previous locations in New York and Miami. The World Chess Hall of Fame is located at 4652 Maryland Avenue, housed in an historic 15,900 square foot residence turned business, and features the U.S. and World Chess Halls of Fame, displays of artifacts from the permanent collection and exhibitions highlighting the great players, historic games and rich cultural history of chess. The World Chess Hall of Fame partners with the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis to provide innovative programming and outreach to local, national and international audiences.
For more information, please visit the World Chess Hall of Fame online at www.worldchesshof.org.
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By GM Cristian Chirila
The 2016 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship will not only go down in the history books as the strongest event but also as arguably the one with the most dramatic finale. Entering the final round, both tournaments had one clear leader as well as one or more players trailing by half point. The tournaments were reaching their crowning moment, the players’ nerves were at their peak, and the tension could be felt in the air.
12 PM—it was noon in St. Louis with one hour until the start of the final round. An almost unbearable silence was covering the St. Louis Chess Club. Players were in their room, working on their final touches for their games. The production room was boiling in preparation for the final chapter to start. Maurice, Yaz and Jen were going over last minute rehearsals. We were all ready for the most exciting part of this event: the grand finale!
12:50 PM—The stage and the chess boards of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis were ready to receive their masters’ last moves, the moves that would decide the outcome of the U.S. & U.S. Women’s Championships.
1 PM—The games have started! All eyes were on Caruana, Wesley and Hikaru: the three titans of the U.S Championships. On the other side of the playing hall sat Tatev, and Nazi, the two women that have blessed this event with one of the most exciting title race in Women’s Championship history.
U.S. Championship
Caruana had the “easier” job on paper. He was half point ahead of the field and was playing the lowest seed and the player standing at the bottom of the standings list. In the rearview mirror it was Nakamura and So who had to give their all in order to catch Caruana at the top and force the playoffs. But this was no fairytale. Caruana knew how big of a favorite he is in his match against Chandra and he was ready to pull the trigger and run home with his first U.S. Championship title. The games started slow with Caruana playing his pet Ruy Lopez as Black, Wesley playing an unusual line of the English opening, and Nakamura being the only one with almost no chance at winning his game as he entered a dull line of the 5.Re1 Berlin.
U.S. Women’s Championship
The Women’s Championship followed a much more dramatic scenario. Going into the last rounds, Tatev was half a point ahead on the standings and was playing the much lower Eswaran. On the other side, Paikidze was trailing and had to play against the defending, and most dominant champion in U.S. Women’s Championship history, Irina Krush. Looking back at the final result, one would argue that Tatev’s opening choice was far from inspired.
All she could do now is wait for Paikidze’s game to conclude, and the odds were not in her favor as her rival had an overwhelming position against Krush.
In the end Nazi won her game and becomes the 2016 U.S. Women’s Champion!
By GM Cristian Chirila
Another exciting day in the capital of chess: Saint Louis! Round 10 was one filled with plenty of drama and turnarounds. In both the U.S Championships and the U.S. Women’s Championship, the leaders had to sweat quite heavily and go through nerve wracking situations in order to get positive results. Fabiano almost blew away his lead when he allowed his opponent to get a winning position while Tatev played a dubious middlegame and allowed her young opponent to grab the initiative.
Luckily for Tatev, Gorti was not very familiar with the requirements of the position and failed to make use of her superior piece placement. Plenty of other exciting results happened in round 10, the stage is set for the grand finale tomorrow at 1 PM Central Time!
Let’s start the recap and get a better understanding of today’s critical round!
U.S. Championship
Caruana vs. Kamsky ½ - ½
The immovable Fabiano was almost shaken out of his leader’s chair today as he played the five-time U.S. Champion Gata Kamsky.
Despite the fact that Gata did not have a great tournament up to this point, he is still one of the leading players on American soil and is a threat to anybody when he is in shape. Today he looked like he was in great shape as he slowly outplayed the number one American player. Fabiano chose not to enter the open Sicilian and instead went for the popular 3.Bb5, Gata was well prepared and comfortably equalized out of the opening. As he started feeling the pressure of Black’s active pieces, Fabiano went for the queen trade with 20.Qb4. In the ensuing endgame, Black was just marginally better but Fabiano gravely erred and allowed Black to obtain an almost winning position.
So vs. Robson ½ - ½
As he was leaving the press conference, Nakamura seemed puzzled at Wesley’s opening choice as he accurately pointed out his game against Giri from the Candidates should be a clear indicator that Black is doing well in the line played. We will never know what Wesley had in mind if Ray would have followed Giri’s footsteps, as Ray played the novelty 16…Bc8?!—which in my opinion is not a great improvement. Wesley should have followed with 18.Bxg4!? and the advantage would have been on his side. Instead he played the dull 18.Bf3 after which Black had no problems holding his ground. The game was very balanced up until the end as Wesley spoils a good opportunity to catch the leader going into the last round.
Nakamura vs. Xiong 1-0
Almost every round of the three titans spoil us with an almost perfect game, today it was Naka’s turn to show his immense star power and completely demolish his opponent. The opening was a dream for Naka, as he showed incredible preparation and played the most critical variation of the obscure 3.f3 Nc6 Grunfeld.
Jeffery had to experience firsthand what happens when you allow an elite GM to have a comfortable advantage without no counterplay on your side. Jeffery tried to complicate matters at all costs but it was to no avail as Nakamura courageously accepted his pawn sacrifice and annihilated any potential counterplay with precise moves.
Game annotation by GM Robert Hess.
Shabalov vs. Onischuk ½ - ½
In one of the tamest games of the round, Shabalov tried to obtain an advantage in the classical variation of the Queen’s Indian. It was to no avail, as Onischuk knew his setup and never allowed White to build the momentum. The pieces were quickly exchanged and the players agreed to a draw at move 30.
Shankland vs. Lenderman ½ - ½
It has been an extremely frustrating event for Shankland and, despite the fact that he did not lose this round, he stated at the post-round press conference that this one game has left an incredibly bitter taste.
Sam tried to break the bad streak by playing an ultra aggressive f3 Nimzo. As he got a huge opening advantage, it felt like this is going to be his point. But as it often happens when you are not in optimal form, he failed to convert his massive advantage and allowed his opponent to escape. A disappointing game for Sam, but definitely one from which he will learn and grow from. As we are eagerly waiting for the final round show; he is surely waiting for this nightmarish tournament to be over.
Akobian vs. Chandra 1-0
Var has been having a pretty difficult tournament as well, but in today’s game it seemed like we are witnessing a resurgence of his impressive power. His opening preparation was very accurate and he obtained a stable middlegame advantage due to his bishop pair and full control over the White squares. With great patience he improved his position move by move and placed his younger opponent under extreme pressure. Chandra went for a desperate attack on the kingside, but Var’s bishop on g2 was like a power pole that would not give up under any burden. Var attacked Black’s structure with 32.b4 and after the c file was open it was only a matter of time until his pieces would invade and produce irrecoverable damage. Chandra could do nothing as he waited for his execution.
U.S. Women’s Championship
Abrahamyan vs. Gorti 1-0
It has been an ongoing race between Tatev and Nazi throughout the whole tournament with Krush and Zatonskih coming along at times but never really managing to keep up with the pace imposed by these two impressive players. There is a change of guard going on, and the question was who is going to break first? Tatev was coming into this round with a half point advantage and a burning desire to win the title that has slipped through her fingers in previous years. Gorti on the other hand, is a newcomer to the Championship and was surely looking to print her arrival stamp on the championship’s standings sheet. Tatev started with 1.e4 and the opening of the tournament made an appearance once again, 1…e6! The French is Tatev’s only opening against 1.e4 as Black and she surely had an idea of what’s going on, but despite that, it seemed like Gorti is the more knowledgeable out of the two. The tension was rising and Tatev’s nervousness could be felt everywhere in the Club.
With all the eyes on her, she knew a slip up of this magnitude would haunt her for ages. She took her breath, and continued fighting through adversity with the resilience of a champion. Gorti, who came into this game with no pressure on her shoulders, was starting to feel the raw emotion coming of Tatev’’s presence. She started erring, she made the first few inaccuracies, and it was all downhill from there. After turning the tables and obtaining an advantage, Tatev’s play was flawless and blunders were nonexistent. She only has one more round to go, the gold is shinning bright…
Paikidze vs. Melekhina 1-0
Melekhina has been having a very difficult tournament, but to count her out of this game would have been a terrible thought. Paikidze started off with yet another surprise: the Torre System! All these new openings that she is presenting in this tournament are a badge of her work at home. When your opponent is throwing new things at you and you are stripped of your theory cushion, you can only wrap your head in your hands and fight through. That is what Melekhina tried to do, but unfortunately for her Paikidze was just too strong. White slowly tried to create new weaknesses, and after she managed to do so (the doubled pawns on the “e” file) Melekhina could only wait for her imminent execution. After an impressive strategic showing, Nazi gets an important victory and stays within fighting range from Tatev. It will be an explosive last round!
Yip vs. Krush 1-0
To keep her chances alive, Krush had to roll past the youngest opponent in the competition and hope that her rivals in the title bid would not win their games. She was ready to do so, but her young opponent also had something to prove!
Krush saw her title dreams shaping up in her favor after the first two hour of play. She repelled her opponent’s attack and was slowly imposing her will on Carissa. On the other boards, Tatev was having difficulties, while Nazi still had plenty of fight left before she could claim her victory. Then the blunder came! 27…Rxd3?? and her dreams were shattered into pieces, making way for her opponent’s reveries to shape up from ashes. Carissa grabbed her opportunity and never let go, claiming her second win against a GM at the ripe age of 12!
Yu vs. Zatonskih 1-0
Her knight corralling the White king, the passed “d” pawn, and the extremely unpleasant pressure on the “e” file was a mix that Yu had difficulties dealing with. Anna could have gotten a winning advantage on the last move before the time control with 40…f5! breaking White’s position apart. Instead she played the dull 40…R5e6 which turned the tables in her opponent’s favor. After that it was only a matter of time before Yu converted her space advantage on the kingside into material advantage, claiming her second victory of the tournament and plummeting Anna’s chances at a title comeback.
Nemcova vs. Foisor ½ - ½
Nemcova came into this game with a clear game plan: she had to take her opponent out of her comfort zone and outplay her in the middlegame for a smooth victory. It seemed to go that way for the most part of the game, but in the end Sabina’s resiliency proved strong enough to repel Nemcova’s initiative and force a draw in a materially unbalanced endgame. The players remain tied on the 5th and 6th place respectively and will give everything in the last round to try and surpass the other on the standings for a heftier payday.
Bykovtsev vs. Eswaran 0-1
The game was a tense affair with Eswaran managing to outsmart her opponent in a complicated endgame with opposite colored bishops and rooks on the board. Eswaran climbs to the 9th spot sitting at -1 and Bykovtsev sits on the 11th spot with -4.
Manic Monday will have a dramatic finish, no doubt about that!
By GM Cristian Chirila
2016 U.S. Championship
Xiong vs. So ½ - ½
This game was one of the first ones to finish, and rightfully so. Jeffery knew that trying to outprepare and outplay an elite GM is a difficult task and he decided to go for a drawing line against the wild Wesley So. Wesley knew the theory as well as the ensuing endgame and effortlessly drew his game against the talented junior. He is now trailing half a point behind Caruana and will need to produce a miracle in order to catch him.
Lenderman vs. Caruana 0-1
Fabiano explained after his game that he was not willing to take unnecessary risks. In comparison, Lenderman was ready for a fight and stated in the press conference that due to his tournament situation, he was willing to do anything in his power to get a positive result against the mighty Fabiano. Let’s see how his battlecry was expressed on the board!
Onischuk vs. Nakamura ½ - ½
This was second to last game to finish in the men’s section—a high intensity battle which could prove decisive at the end of the event. Onischuk played a dubious opening and soon found himself in the position of defending a difficult endgame with a weak isolated pawn.
Nakamura threw everything he had at his opponent but failed to miss a tricky resource (49.Be1!) that allowed White to equalize instantly. He is now trailing but a full point and has recognized that his title chances are quite slim after today.
Robson vs. Shankland ½ - ½
This is a matchup that could prove extremely influential in the bid for the 2016 Olympic team that will travel to Baku later this year. Both Robson and Shankland are among the favorites to join the big three in their attempt to fight for the gold. We were all waiting for an exciting battle with each player stressing on their qualities and trying to take advantage of their opponents mistakes; unfortunately it was nothing of that sort, with a dull game and a dull result being concluded early on.
Shabalov vs. Akobian 0-1
Both these players were going to salvage part of their tournament by scoring an important win after a never ending wave of negative results. Shabalov was coming off back-to-back loses while Akobian was in search for his first win in the 2016 U.S. Championship. It was only one of them that would obtain what they wanted and today that was Akobian. After a fairly balanced opening and middlegame, the players entered an endgame that was slightly superior for Black, nothing more than that. Unfortunately for Shabalov, he was the first one to blink as he blundered with 28. Rb8 which allowed for a quick finish after 28…Rxf2. An important victory for Akobian, and a terrible loss for Shaba.
Kamsky vs. Chandra 1-0
Kamsky has been at the top of the American chess for almost two decades now and he surely came with a very motivated mindset in this game. On the other hand, the young Chandra still had the chance of completing his final GM norm, but only if he would have won all his remaining three games—a difficult task in a routine open tournament and an almost impossible job in the U.S. Championship. Kamsky decided to take an unambitious route and try to outplay his opponent from move one. And boy was he right! Chandra comfortably equalized from the opening but failed keep the pace and the veteran finally managed to impose his will on the American Junior Champion.
Here are the matchups for round 10 of the U.S. Championship
U.S. Women’s Championship
Zatonskih vs. Abrahamyan 0-1
Let’s see how the two ladies fared in this high intensity encounter.
Foisor vs. Paikidze ½ - ½
This game was definitely a short-lived story. As we approach the final rounds of the championship, it is quite often that we see very calculated decisions taken by the players in crucial situations. This game was one that belonged to the cautious category, as Sabina tried to confused her opponent with a rare line of the QID.
Nazi was happy with a draw and went for the forced 12…Nd5 which lead immediately to a perpetual.
Krush vs. Yu ½ - ½
This game was a high-intensity encounter that should have ended in a different result. The young Jennifer was in full control throughout the game and could have finished her opponent in more than one instance. Unfortunately for her, time trouble was a danger that she could not avoid and was ultimately the leading factor in the outcome of the game. After missing the easy 62...Re1+ that would have led to a massive advantage for Black, Jennifer had to convince herself that her chance slipped and had to accept the draw. Once again, Irina saves a completely losing position and maintains a striking distance to the leader.
Nemcova vs. Bykovtsev ½ - ½
Black was still having the upperhand but the lack of technicality was felt and Katerina managed to save a difficult position.
Gorti vs. Eswaran ½ - ½
The tension between two of the leading juniors in the country could have been felt all throughout the game. Unfortunately for the chess fans watching, that can’t be said about the moves played in this game also. The players were overly cautious and quickly stirred the game into a completely drawish opposite color bishop endgame.
Melekhina vs. Yip ½ - ½
Alisa has been having one of the worst tournaments of her life, and as she was coming into this game she knew the priority was to stop the bleeding and avoid another painful loss. The game was an extremely complex battle with the advantage switching sides quite often throughout the game. Alisa was first to have a clear middlegame advantage, but it was Yip that could have ended the game almost immediately if she would have played 46…Bxh3! Instead, she chose to win an exchange and Alisa was able to salvage a broken position. Finally the losing streak is over and Alisa can now focus on remediating her tournament situation in the last two matches.
The penultimate round will be a thriller, here are the matchups for tomorrow afternoon:
by GM Cristian Chirila
Let’s analyze this exciting round and see where we stand as we enter the last three rounds of this dramatic event.
2016 U.S. Championship
Caruana vs. Robson ½- ½
Fabiano was coming into round eight as the clear favorite, and his final rounds schedule suggests him as the main favorite to strip Naka off his title. One last big test that he had to pass was the Robson exam.
Unfortunately for him, Ray came off guns blazing and used an incredible preparation to equalize and ultimately force Fabiano to go for a sacrifice that led to a perpetual. Let’s give this game a closer look and get a clear idea of how you can outprepare a 2800!
So vs. Onischuk ½- ½
Wesley chose to test Onischuk in the same line Caruana defeated him just a couple of round ago. Onischuk boldly accepted the challenge and repeated the same move, he probably had some serious improvement over his previous loss, and So decided to deviate first by playing 8.d4. Onischuk knew the variation and did not stumble in his way to an inferior, but holdable endgame. Wesley never really had a chance for a serious advantage and misses his chance to surpass Caruana in the standings and become the sole leader of the tournament.
Shankland vs. Xiong ½- ½
I myself played this line a few times as Black and never had any problems to prove the dynamic prospect of my bishops. The exchange spinning wheel made a natural appearance and the pieces started falling off the board at the speed of light. By move 30 there were only one pair of light pieces left on the board, the players agreed to a draw soon after the time control.
Akobian vs. Kamsky ½ - ½
Akobian and Kamsky both have had subpar events but this was one game to prove that it was everything a fluke, and their class had to be respected under any circumstances. Akobian chose a rare line in the KID by playing 6.g4!? Black had quite an interesting idea of combating White’s peculiar set-up with a combined attack in the center and on the queenside. Var managed to contain Black’s initiative and obtained a strategically better position, unfortunately for his he left himself little time and had to complete the last 20 moves in less than 2 minutes. Var should have taken the sacrifice with 17.Bg4! after which extreme complications arise, but they all seem to end up favorably for him. Instead he chose a more dull approach that did not paid off. Kamsky showed his resilient nature and the game ended after the 50th move.
Chandra vs. Lenderman 0-1
Lenderman showed why he is one of the most theoretically feared guy in the field. He wisely chose a Sicilian offbeat line that transitioned into a Pirc type of structure with the one improvement for Black that the White square bishop gets out and the “c” pawns are off the board, which gives his the important c6 square for the knight. Black easily equalized and was even better, but suddenly he chose the wrong plan and in three moves he was already almost losing.
Luckily for Lenderman, Chandra is not in best shape and could not find the win starting after 33.Qe5! followed by Bxc5 sacrificing the piece and completely destroying Black’s king shelter. Instead, the National Junior champ allowed his opponent to get back into the game and event obtain a superior knights endgame. Lenderman had a dangerous passed pawn on the “b” file, and in Chandra’s second time trouble he managed to promote the pawn and get his first win of the tournament.
Nakamura vs. Shabalov 1-0
Nakamura obtained an important advantage out of the opening but failed to spot a few resources and allowed Black to get back into the game. In the ensuing materially unbalanced position, Nakamura managed to outsmart his opponent and place enough pressure that he would ultimately crack. Let’s give this game a closer look and see where both these players could have improved their performance.
Here are the standings after round 8:
2016 U.S. Women’s Championship
Abrahamyan vs. Krush ½ - ½
This battle was definitely the crucial one going into round 8 of the U.S. Women’s Championship as two of the three leaders were fighting against each other to maintain the edge over their competition. The game started quite badly for Tatev who quickly got into a worse position against the defending champ. Irina started her slow grind and looked as if she will be emerging victorious from this “championship” round.
The structural advantage and piece domination should have been decisive for Krush but ultimately she erred badly by playing a series of moves that diminished her advantage to the point where she actually felt endangered by Tatev’s initiative. If White would have played 40.Bf8! it is not clear whether Black would have been able to survive in the ensuing endgame. Draw and Tatev must be relieved to escape Krush’s torturous program.
Game annotation by GM Robert Hess.
Paikidze vs. Nemcova ½ - ½
Paikidze was looking to take the sole lead going into the final 3, Nemcova on the other hand was surely not complacent with a draw and would have liked to get the full point in order to start eyeing the top spots.
Nazi chose to follow the main lines this time around and picked the Catalan as her weapon of choice, but Nemcova appeared to be the better prepared player. Despite the opening failure, Nazi slowly started to outplay her opponent but failed to capitalize on her technique when she missed 26.Nxc6! Even after the game continuation, Nazi was still better and should have tortured her opponent for a longer time. Instead she chose a dubious plan and failed to spot Black’s cute 49…Rxc6! A move that sealed the draw and kept the standings up top unchanged.
Eswaran vs. Zatonskih 0-1
A French on the board. Zatonskih came very well prepared to this game and managed to fully equalize as soon as move 10. She had enough dynamics in the position to balanced her isolated pawn on the “d” file and soon her opponent decided to give a pawn in order to activate her forces. Unfortunately for White, this was not a very witty sacrifice and Zatonskih quickly increased her advantage through a series of well timed tactics. Anna accurately converted her gains and Eswaran will once again have to go back to the drawing board and try to salvage her mediocre event.
Zatonskih on the other hand maintains her high tempo and joint the leading pack with three more round to go.
Yip vs. Foisor 0-1
Sabina is slowly getting in her groove! After a slow start and a few disappointing performances she now seems like a new player and ready to climb the standings latter.
Carissa is coming off a couple of loses and seems to have slowed down after her furious start. If the Berlin is nowhere to be see these days, the French is making an appearance every round, generally in more than one game. The players followed one of the main lines of the 3.Nd2 French but Sabina seemed to have outprepared her younger opponent and equalized skillfully out of the opening. Sabina tried to complicate matter but her younger opponent managed to maintain the balance and even threaten to get an advantageous position. Unfortunately for her, it was Sabina who found a nice pawn sacrifice with 25…e3! which unleashed the dynamics of her pieces and placed Carissa under tremendous pressure. The youngster was not able to hold and blundered badly with 32.Rad1 which allowed Sabina to pin the knight decisively and win a full piece. Soon after, it was game over!
Bykovtsev vs. Gorti 0-1
The two juniors decided to play one of the sharpest line of the, you guessed it, French defense (self-proclaimed most popular opening of the U.S. Championships). It was Akshita who presumably forgot her preparation and played the dubious 17…Qf6 but in such a complex position is difficult to harshly condemn a natural looking move just because the engines don’t like it.
Agata’s 19.h4 was a difficult move to understand, as is closing the queen’s path back home, and so were her following moves. Akshita quickly finished her development and started a vicious pawn storm in the center, while keeping the opponent’s queen entrapped on the h file. Agata could not find an active plan and had to resign when her opponent’s second queen made an appearance on the board.
Yu vs. Melekhina 1-0
When you lose a game in an open tournament you usually go back to the drawing board and play an accessible opponent that will allow you to come back and restore your confidence. That is not the case in the U.S. Championships when every round you are playing the best players in the country. This has been the case for Alisa’s decline and has been quite heartbreaking to witness. Jennifer chose to start the game with 1.c4 and the players soon entered a topical line of the English opening in which White maneuvers their pieces in order to take advantage of the weakened d5 square. Alisa must have been inspired by Nemcova’s previous game in which she started an early attack with h4-h5, but this time around Jennifer knew what to expect and prepared her game plan thoroughly. Alisa took some bad decisions, in particular recapturing on e5 with the f pawn, which allowed her opponent to obtain a large advantage. Despite that, Jennifer did not handle the complications well and blundered with 23.Nd7?? This could have been a turning point for Alisa’s tournament but she failed to play the winning move 23…Rxf1! Instead she played a losing move and had to resign only a few moves later. Another disappointing result for Alisa who has played very decent games so far but failed to give her best during the critical moments.
We are entering the final three rounds of this exciting event and the battles are starting to heat up. Leaders will fight tooth and nail for this prestigious title, and the main benefiters of that will be the eagerly awaiting fans! Here are the matchups for Round 9:
