“Fabiano Caruana Maintains Lead in 2024 U.S. Chess Championships, Carissa Yip’s Streak Ends”

GM Fabiano Caruana continues his quest to defend his title at the 2024 U.S. Chess Championships, securing a draw with GM Awonder Liang and moving to 5.5/8. With only one decisive result in round nine, GM Leinier Dominguez’s win over GM Sam Sevian, the competition remains fierce with nine players vying for three podium spots.

In the women’s event, IM Carissa Yip’s historical streak came to an end with a loss to FM Megan Lee. Despite a win against GM Irina Krush, WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova trails Yip by a point and a half at 6.5/9.

Round 10 of the championships is set to begin on October 19, with Caruana and Liang leading the charge in the Championship division, while Yip faces tough competition in the Women’s division.

Caruana, in an interview on the C-Squared podcast, highlighted the importance of maintaining energy levels in the final rounds of the tournament, drawing parallels to his experience at the recent Olympiad. Despite signs of fatigue in his game against Liang, Caruana remains a strong contender for the title.

In the Women’s division, Yip’s loss to Lee ended her unbeaten streak, opening up the field for Tokhirjonova and other contenders. With two rounds to go, the competition is heating up as players vie for the championship title.

The U.S. Chess Championships offer an exciting display of strategic gameplay and intense competition, with players showcasing their skills in pursuit of the prestigious title. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the 2024 championships.