Recap of Day One at the 124th Annual U.S. Open Chess Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia

The 124th Annual U.S. Open in Norfolk, Virginia is off to an exciting start with the first day of competition in the books. This year marks the last time the tournament will follow the traditional nine-day schedule, adding an extra layer of significance to the event. With 134 participants vying for victory, the competition is fierce and the stakes are high.

On Saturday, the Weeramantry Blitz Tournament of State Champions kicked off, along with the first round of the five invitationals for state champions. The tournament is set to determine the “champion of champions” for elementary, middle school, high school, scholastic-aged girls, and seniors. The action is heating up, with top players facing off in intense battles on the boards.

In the Irwin Tournament of Senior State Champions, there were no major upsets in the first round, but several players managed to hold draws against higher-rated opponents. Defending champion IM Nikoloz Managadze and top-seeded IM Igor Khmelnitsky are already making their mark in the competition.

The Denker Tournament of High School Champions is celebrating the end of an era as the U.S. Chess Trust concludes its 40-year commitment to the tournament. The Barber Tournament of Middle School Champions saw an upset in the first round, with a lower-rated player defeating a higher-rated opponent.

In the Rockefeller Tournament of Elementary School Champions, higher-rated players dominated the first round, with only one draw among the 24 games. The Weeramantry Blitz Tournament saw familiar names from the National High School Championships taking the top spots.

As the tournament progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with players vying for the coveted titles in their respective categories. Live commentary is available for those following the action closely, and the excitement is palpable as the U.S. Open continues in Norfolk.