The most prestigious chess occasion in America commenced on Wednesday that includes 28 of the nation’s finest female and male gamers throughout the 2 divisions. The U.S Championship, which was famously received by GM Bobby Fischer a document eight occasions, has a historical past of offering among the highest high quality chess within the calendar, and this 12 months’s lineup guarantees to offer scintillating motion. Heading the sphere is 2021 champion GM Wesley So, adopted by stalwarts of top-level chess, GMs Fabiano Caruana and Levon Aronian, who’s making his debut. 

Meanwhile, Niemann will definitely draw the eye of viewers all through the occasion and can look to affix the match’s youngest contributors, GM Christopher Yoo and Awonder Liang, in a bid to shake up the anticipated outcomes.

In an early battle among the many youngest contributors, Niemann took down 15-year-old Yoo with the black items.

The increasingly-popular Jobava London was the weapon of selection for Yoo although issues shortly rotated because the younger GM was repelled by the middle.

Despite the wholesome benefit, Niemann discovered himself with seconds left on the clock and wanted to make a number of exact strikes to make it to the time management at transfer 40. On transfer 36, Yoo helped his opponent with the blunderous 36.e6?? and was punished for the error as soon as Niemann gained additional time on the clock. The thrilling encounter was our recreation of the day immediately and GM Rafael Leitao has supplied knowledgeable commentary on the sport beneath.

The post-game interview on the Saint Louis Chess Club supplied one other twist to the continuing Niemann saga because the 19-year-old GM gave his remark in weeks. The victor reduce his interview quick after giving a quick assertion, leaving the interview room with out additional questioning. Host GMs Cristian Chirila and Yasser Seirawan have been confounded by the response.

“I believe that this recreation is a message to everybody. You know, this complete factor began with me saying ‘chess speaks for itself’ and I believe this recreation spoke for itself and confirmed the chess participant that I’m and in addition confirmed that I’m not going to again down and I’m going to play my finest chess right here whatever the presure that I’m below. That’s all I wish to say about this recreation. You know, chess speaks for itself, that is all I can say. You can go away it to your individual interpretation, however thanks. That’s all I’d wish to say, sure. If it was such a gorgeous recreation, I needn’t describe it.”

“It was such a gorgeous recreation I needn’t describe it.”

–@HansMokeNiemann‘s transient post-game interview after his victory vs. GM Yoo#USChessChamps pic.twitter.com/S1FFUdAO2t

— Saint Louis Chess Club (@STLChessClub) October 5, 2022

The Olympiad teammates So, Aronian, and GM Sam Shankland weren’t within the temper for combating on the opening day, with So and Aronian each agreeing to fast attracts with the black items. Shankland’s recreation was slightly testier towards puzzle rush legend GM Ray Robson who supplied some leisure, castling queenside and pawn storming Shankland’s king. The Olympiad board 5’s protection was enough although they usually agreed to separate the purpose.

Caruana discovered himself in troubled waters towards GM Leinier Dominguez who garnered the bishop pair early and started urgent his benefit. Timely activation of his rooks was the one factor that saved Caruana who was in a position to liquidate right into a drawn ending quickly after. 

Sevian picked up a full level in spherical one after toppling GM Elshan Moradiabadi, courtesy of a transfer 47 gaffe from the Iranian-born competitor. The place appeared to be heading for a draw however Moradiabadi’s sense of hazard was slightly off, permitting Sevian to capitalize. Sevian shall be hoping to repeat his heroics from final 12 months’s championship the place he completed equal first, earlier than dropping the playoff to So.

After a stellar introduction to super-GM chess this 12 months, GM Jeffery Xiong virtually broke by towards GM Dariusz Swiercz however needed to accept a attract spherical one. 

U.S. Championship | All Games Round 1

Round One Open Standings

The U.S. Women’s Championship this 12 months will see GM Irina Krush vie for her ninth title (the primary of which got here again in 1998!). Given that the 2021 champion IM Carissa Yip isn’t collaborating on this 12 months’s championship, Krush holds a 50 ranking level benefit over the second seed IM Anna Zatonskih. The youngest participant within the area at solely 12 years outdated, Lee, will look to show her prodigy standing with an enormous consequence within the occasion.

The Women’s Championship began with three decisive outcomes, with the younger Lee, WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, and WIM Megan Lee all profitable their respective video games.

Lee made an enormous assertion after knocking over the third seed, WIM Ashritha Eswaran, with black. Employing the Caro-Kann, Lee survived an early kingside onslaught and proceeded to launch a central barrage of her personal that paid dividends.

Flashy techniques have been the theme in Tokhirjonova’s recreation towards WFM Sophie Morris-Suzuki and several other sensible strikes helped the fifth seed rating a win. See in the event you can spot the brutal attacking end beneath.

The most anticipated recreation of the spherical was the conflict between Olympiad teammates Krush and WGM Tatev Abrahamyan, which ended drawn after each gamers missed small possibilities.

The last recreation to complete in spherical one was a protracted battle between Zatonskih and FM Jennifer Yu. Yu appeared poised to upset the match’s second seed with the black items earlier than her skilled opponent fought again to an equal rook and pawn ending. With time slipping away on each participant’s clocks, Yu clutched up and tricked Zatonskih to shoot to the highest of the leaderboard.

U.S. Women’s Championship | All Games Round 1

Round One Women’s Standings

The 2022 U.S. Chess Championships happen October 4-20, 2022 in St. Louis to find out the following chess champions of the United States. The 2022 U.S. Women’s Championship is being held concurrently. Both occasions have the identical format: 14 gamers, 13-round match with a $250,500 prize fund for the U.S. Championship, and $154,000 for the U.S. Women’s Championship.