15-year-old Yoo had trigger for celebration in spherical two after toppling So in what’s now his highest-rated victory in classical chess. So appeared to have quelled the younger GM’s play on the white aspect of the Petroff Defense earlier than a transfer 26 mistake spun the initiative in favor of Yoo. GM Rafael Leitao has unpacked our recreation of the day beneath.

In his post-match interview, Yoo bluntly acknowledged that there was anger in his recreation at this time, ignited by Niemann’s interview after their first-round matchup. Yoo declared that he felt “disrespected on each degree”, additional stating, ” I did really feel like I channeled in a bit of little bit of my anger from that to play some aggressive chess at this time.”

“I felt disrespected on every level… I do feel that I channeled in a bit of my anger from that to play some aggressive chess today.”

-GM Christopher Yoo shares his emotions about @HansMokeNiemann‘s interview yesterday#USChessChamps pic.twitter.com/BmxIYTcB50

— Saint Louis Chess Club (@STLChessClub) October 6, 2022

It is price noting that the Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club Tony Rich made an announcement on Wednesday explaining up to date safety measures for this yr’s championship given latest occasions.

“This yr we applied extra safety measures. We have all the time had metal-detecting units. We have added to that the radio frequency scanners that examine any signaling that’s taking place within the room. We have applied the extra scanners that examine for any silicon units. That can be any electronics on the individual, no matter whether or not they’re powered on or off, no matter whether or not they’re transmitting a sign or not”

Meanwhile, in a much less emotionally-charged encounter, one other first-time winner in GM Elshan Moradiabadi was topped. Moradiabadi had a tough loss to GM Sam Sevian on day one however bounced again to beat wildcard GM Awonder Liang on Thursday. Moradiabadi dubbed himself “fortunate” post-victory, admitting that he had “misplayed” his opening. Fortunately, the engines smiled upon the place Moradiabadi had stumbled into and he slowly transformed the win.

GM Hans Niemann appeared as if he was cruising in the direction of one other win towards GM Jeffery Xiong however missed a number of possibilities to liquidate right into a successful ending. After Xiong steadied the ship, it instantly appeared as if he had gained some possibilities resulting from an annoying handed e-pawn although. After some thought, Xiong and Niemann determined to repeat strikes as progress couldn’t be made.

The the rest of the video games have been pretty drawish all through, with not one of the different event favorites breaking by. GM Levon Aronian had affordable successful possibilities towards GM Leinier Dominguez however was held by some resolute protection throughout the middlegame.

U.S. Championship | All Games Round 2

Round 2 Open Standings

The Women’s Championship continued to shock on Thursday because the three winners from the primary day all managed to win once more.

12-year-old Lee is the discuss of the occasion, having overcome WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova in an endgame masterclass. The runner-up of the 2022 American Cup has risen impressively this yr and after consecutive wins, has positioned herself as an early frontrunner within the occasion.

This is {the teenager} the chess world needs to be speaking about.

Oops, Alice is just 12. #USChessChamps https://t.co/J5XTTGHerv

— Mike Klein (@ChessMike) October 6, 2022

It is a well known technique in chess circles that the easiest way to beat a gifted junior participant is to swap into an endgame and beat them from there however Lee proved precisely why it is a harmful philosophy to observe.

Not to be confused with Alice (who has the identical surname however is just not associated), WIM Megan Lee additionally moved to 2/2 and obliterated her opponent with the black items in 28 strikes. Staring down WGM Nazi Paikidze‘s stranded king, Lee discovered all the appropriate strikes to blast open the middle and rout the event’s fourth seed.

Yu and FM Rochelle Wu have been the opposite winners in spherical two and each needed to squeeze out barely higher bishop and rook endings. For Wu, it was a reduction to attain her first level after a tricky loss by the hands of Lee on Wednesday.

Right behind the leaders sits eight-time champion GM Irina Krush who will search for her alternative to ascend throughout the subsequent few rounds which promise to supply ample leisure for the various chess followers captured by the sport’s renewed thrust into fashionable tradition. 

U.S. Women’s Championship | All Games Round 2

Round 2 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 event with a $250,500 prize fund for the U.S. Championship, and $154,000 for the U.S. Women’s Championship.