Troff Trounces, Sicilians Stomped in Round 2 of U.S. Junior Closed
GM Kayden Troff looks to be in top form through the first two rounds of the 2014 U.S. Junior Closed Championship. By Brian Jerauld SAINT LOUIS (June 22, 2014) — Historically, the Sicilian defense may be known as one of the best-scoring responses to the 1. e4 attack. But not today. In the second round […]
Big Wins for Williams, Colas in First Round of U.S. Junior Champs
Joshua Colas and Justus Williams each scored huge upset victories in round 1 of the 2014 U.S. Junior Closed Championship. By Brian Jerauld SAINT LOUIS (June 21, 2014) — A day of decisive results marked the opening round of the 2014 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, the national title for players under 21, with all five […]
Nation’s Top Juniors Prepare for Title Fight
Senate Chaplin Barry Black, Sam Sevian, Aksithi Eswaran, Jeffrey Xiong and Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) participate in the first Congressional Chess Tournament in Washington D.C. on June 18. By Brian Jerauld The 2014 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, the national title fight for players under 21, held its opening ceremonies on Thursday night at the host […]
Young Stars to Vie for U.S. Junior Closed Title
Jeffrey Xiong is the No. 2-ranked 13-year-old in the nation behind Sam Sevian. SAINT LOUIS (June 11, 2014) — Ten of the top young chess players in the United States will compete in the 2014 U.S. Junior Closed Championship June 19-29 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL). But there’s more […]
Kamsky, Krush Repeat as U.S. Chess Champions
GMs Gata Kamsky and Irina Krush each turned in undefeated performances to win their respective U.S. Championship events. By Brian Jerauld You were expecting someone else? The tight drama of the 2014 U.S. Championships turned out to be all for show. Several of the nation’s top 22 players took turns stealing headlines and taking their […]
The End is Near: Armageddon Looms in U.S. Championships Finale
Alex Lenderman drew Varuzhan Akobian in the final round of regulation at the U.S Championship. The two will play an Armageddon game to determine who faces reigning champ Gata Kamsky for the title. Image Credit: Lennart Ootes By Brian Jerauld SAINT LOUIS (May 19, 2014) — The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a “vast, decisive […]
Six in Title Contention in Final Round of U.S. Championships
GM Varuzhan Akobian is staring down his first U.S. Championship. He faces co-leader Aleksandr Lenderman today for the title. By Brian Jerauld SAINT LOUIS (May 19, 2014) — Three has become a crowd. Monday brings the final round for the 2014 U.S. Chess Championships and, in both races, three players are crowding the finish line. […]
Logjam Atop Leaderboards at U.S. Championships
Irina Krush stayed cool under pressure in a must-win showdown against her main rival Anna Zatonskih. Image Credit: Lennart Ootes. By Brian Jerauld SAINT LOUIS (May 18, 2014) — Irina Krush has decided to play this one out. Only one round remains in the 2014 U.S. Women’s Championship, though for a moment, it wasn’t entirely […]
Akobian, Zatonskih Create Space; 2014 U.S. Women’s Title On the Line
GM Varuzhan Akobian has pushed his lead to a full point with just three rounds to go in the U.S. Championship. Image Credit Lennart Ootes. By Brian Jerauld SAINT LOUIS (May 17, 2014) — Rest days are meant for relaxation and preparation, a chance to collect one’s self and focus on the finish line. It’s […]
Akobian, Zatonskih in Front; Reigning Champs Trail on Rest Day
Anna Zatonskih jumped into clear first place with a win over Camilla Baginskaite in round 6. Image Credit Sarah Carmody. By Brian Jerauld SAINT LOUIS (May 15, 2014) — The show, for the moment, has been stolen. After the bloodiest day yet – eight fought-out decisions across 11 games and another nail-biting escape with a […]