As fatigue kicks in after 10 rounds of play in St. Louis, the endurance of the sphere comes into query. On Saturday, Niemann was probably the most energetic. Playing with the black items towards GM Elshan Moradiabadi, Niemann opted for the Kings Indian Defense in an try to boost the encounter and was rewarded for his alternative.

“I felt like I wanted to return to my roots of enjoying simply completely psychotic chess” was what Niemann claimed in regard to his technique towards a struggling Moradiabadi. GM Rafael Leitao has unpacked the encounter in our recreation of the day beneath.

Niemann, enjoying as much as his repute, was candid about his match in his post-match interview, stating: “I believe its at all times good when somebody as conceited as me is humbled”. Saturday’s end result left Niemann feeling bullish about his comeback probabilities within the match and extra chaos is anticipated consequently within the following video games.

GM Christopher Yoo gave Caruana subsequent to no probability to win of their duel, selecting an ultra-solid line of the Symmetrical English Opening. Caruana poked and prodded for some time however because the items flew off it turned clear that he would not lengthen his lead heading into the remainder day.

Robson’s recreation towards GM Sam Sevian additionally flatlined after the queens got here had been exchanged in a balanced line of the Ragozin Defense. Even Stockfish did not fairly perceive how drawn the endgame was when Sevian cheekily sacrificed his bishop for a pawn to dam up the place.

Looking forward, Caruana will play white towards GM Jeffery Xiong whereas Robson will even play white towards GM Awonder Liang in spherical 11. With each gamers tipped because the favorites, the subsequent spherical might go an extended strategy to deciding this 12 months’s champion.

U.S. Championship | All Games Round 10

Round 10 Open Standings

The most necessary recreation of the ladies’s occasion in spherical 9 was a story of three elements that just about noticed Yu lose her lead, then lengthen it, earlier than finally drawing and sustaining her half-a-point buffer over Krush. The recreation was an analysis rollercoaster and Yu might be relieved to have the remainder day to settle her nerves forward of a spherical 11 conflict towards Tokhirjonova.

Krush was unable to make inroads towards FM Rochelle Wu who confirmed ample understanding of the Semi-Slav Defense. Krush will tackle IM Nazi Paikidze in spherical 11.

Although 5 of right this moment’s video games resulted in attracts, the 2 decisive outcomes launched new challengers to the highest spot. Tokhirjonova took benefit of FM Ashritha Eswaran‘s inconsistent type and executed an incisive pawn break within the late middlegame. The tactical shot solely gave Tokhirjonova a minute benefit nevertheless she was capable of flip the initiative into a cloth benefit, profitable the trade not lengthy after.

After dropping in spherical 9, WIM Megan Lee was unable to seek out her toes towards Cervantes who was driving the momentum after her barnstorming, recreation of the day victory on Friday. Cervantes confirmed knowledgeable data of the pawn constructions arising from the Sicilian Najdorf and floor down Lee in a bishop and pawn ending to maneuver to six/9.

13-year-old FM Alice Lee additionally fell agonizingly in need of becoming a member of Krush on 6.5/10 after blundering away a profitable bishop and pawn ending towards IM Anna Zatonskih. 

Should Yu and Krush draw their spherical 11 video games, an enormous conflict awaits within the penultimate spherical the place they’re paired towards one another. For Krush, the sport might be one which she must win with the black items in one of many extra dramatic finishes to a chess occasion in current instances.

U.S. Women’s Championship | All Games Round 10

Round 10 Women’s Standings

The 2022 U.S. Chess Championships happen October 4-20, 2022 in St. Louis to find out the subsequent 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.

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