Champions Open: Robson’s Clock Ambush, Aronian Comes Alive in Blitz

After one other attract classical, all of it got here right down to the fast sport between Robson and So―with the latter in a must-win place. The gamers fought by means of the middlegame into the endgame as So saved attempting to make progress.

Briefly, the profitable alternative that So had been striving for appeared on the board. But, within the warmth of the second with simply minutes left on the clock, he ignored his likelihood.

The match completed in a curious method. Forward an trade in a drawn ending, So studied the board diligently, forgetting that he had solely seconds left on the clock. Robson mirrored on these closing seconds:

As he bought down to 5 seconds or so, I seen from the way in which that he was trying on the board that he wasn’t being attentive to the clock in any respect. I used to be watching him after which I used to be pondering if he will get to 4 seconds and appears on the clock, then he’s going to make a transfer.

If not, I’m going to simply hold trying on the board, after which hopefully he’ll hold trying on the board, and yeah, he simply didn’t discover it in any respect.

I seen from the way in which that he was trying on the board that he wasn’t being attentive to the clock in any respect.

―Ray Robson

After two extra shut attracts within the classical and fast video games, Aronian got here alive within the blitz playoff. Within the first tiebreaker, he outplayed Caruana within the rook ending and completed with a intelligent tactical shot. 

Within the final sport, he closed out the match with an impressed dynamic sequence. That is our Recreation of the Day. Get pleasure from the next evaluation by GM Rafael Leitao coming quickly.

Waiting for the ultimate, Aronian shared his ideas on his upcoming opponent, Robson:

He’s an amazing expertise… Earlier than I got here to the states, I knew him, and I felt: there’s this man falling into time hassle for no specific cause. He’s a great participant, however I didn’t actually know him so nicely. As soon as I bought to play right here and see him play, I can actually simply share my admiration. 

If he was extra formidable, I feel he could be a high participant. Even now, he’s one of many high gamers in the US. He has nice potential as a result of he has a pure really feel for the sport.

He has nice potential as a result of he has a pure really feel for the sport.

―Levon Aronian

Champions Girls’s: Lee Wins Third Recreation in a Row, Krush Fights Off Paikidze’s Comeback

Lee gained a 3rd sport in a row to win her match vs. WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova with a spherical to spare. Lee gained an enormous benefit within the opening and did not let her opponent again into the sport. She shared afterwards:

I believed this complete sport went very easily. I feel it’s simply laborious for her to play. It was very nice to play for White… her items are simply undeveloped… Black doesn’t have any counterplay.

In a must-win place, IM Nazi Paikidze confirmed up able to battle right now. She confirmed aggressive intentions from the opening, storming her forces into Krush’s kingside.

Within the fast sport, Paikidze opted for an additional combating opening, however Krush was in a position to crash by means of on the queenside first. 

After the match, Krush shared her mindset: “I feel what helps me is my expectation that issues do not at all times must be straightforward. It is not the tip of the world if you’re going by means of some type of trials.”

A contented Irina after profitable her match in opposition to IM Nazi Paikidze to affix IM Alice Lee within the closing for the third consecutive yr.
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♟️#AmericanCup #stl #saintlouis #stchessclub #chessclub #occasion #closing #hof #worldchesshalloffame #journey #chessplayer #interview@SabinaFoisor pic.twitter.com/ksAJWKCmyF

— Saint Louis Chess Membership (@STLChessClub) March 16, 2024

The eight-time U.S. Girls’s Champion advances to the ultimate for the third yr in a row. Identical to within the earlier years, Lee is her opponent. In actual fact, Krush and Lee have confronted one another 4 occasions during the last two American Cups―And Krush has gained each match. Will the rapidly-improving prodigy have the ability to have the ability to flip the script this time round?

In the meantime, So, Caruana, Paikidze, and Tokhirjonova now be a part of the elimination bracket for his or her second likelihood within the event. 

Try @sabinafoisor ‘s interview with IM Nazi Paikidze , @NaziPaiki the place she discusses her future plans as a participant and commentator. Nazi had an excellent sport in her match in opposition to GM Irina Krush, sadly for her she misplaced the second sport and was eradicated from the… pic.twitter.com/W3R8EAoEbl

— Saint Louis Chess Membership (@STLChessClub) March 15, 2024

The 2024 American Cup is an over-the-board event in St. Louis that includes a number of the strongest gamers in the US. Break up into Open and Girls’s sections, the gamers will compete in a double-elimination knockout bracket whereas contesting for his or her share of the $400,000 prize fund. 

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