Highlights from the 2026 U.S. Chess Championships: Akopian, Belakovskaia, Woodward, and Tang Claim Titles

Akopian Triumphs in U.S. Senior Championship

Belakovskaia Dominates U.S. Women’s Senior Championship

Woodward Retains Title at U.S. Junior Championship

Tang Secures Victory in U.S. Girls Junior Championship

A Historic Championship: All Four Events Held Together at the Saint Louis Chess Club

Akopian Triumphs in Thrilling U.S. Senior Championship

St. Louis, MO – In a nail-biting finish at the 2026 U.S. Senior Championship, Grandmaster Vladimir Akopian emerged victorious over top-seeded GM Alexander Onischuk in a blitz tiebreak playoff, held at the prestigious Saint Louis Chess Club on July 25. Akopian’s remarkable performance earned him a prize of $26,000, including a winner’s bonus of $5,000.

The tournament, notable for being the first to host both senior and junior championships concurrently, showcased a combined prize pool of $285,000. This year, the U.S. Women’s Senior Championship saw a significant increase in its prize fund, rising to $60,000 from just $8,400 the previous year.

A Battle of Titans

Onischuk, boasting an impressive Elo rating of 2618, started the tournament as the favorite. Despite remaining undefeated throughout the main event, he struggled to find his rhythm early on, with his only significant victory coming against GM Joel Benjamin in the sixth round.

In contrast, Akopian, the reigning champion from 2024, displayed consistent skill, taking an early lead with three consecutive wins. His standout moment came in the fifth round against GM Alexander Goldin, another formidable opponent rated over 2500 Elo.

After a setback against GM Alexander Shabalov in the fourth round, Akopian rebounded with two wins, finishing the round-robin stage with 6.5 points, tied with Onischuk. This set the stage for an intense playoff.

The Tiebreak Drama

The playoff began with a rapid time control match, where both players secured a win each. However, the blitz tiebreaker proved decisive, with Akopian clinching victory with a 2-0 score. The first game was marked by Akopian’s sharp tactical awareness, capitalizing on Onischuk’s mistakes. The second game was a rollercoaster of emotions, ultimately ending in Akopian’s favor, sealing his championship title.

Women’s Championship Highlights

In the U.S. Women’s Senior Championship, Anjelina Belakovskaia dominated the field, finishing with seven points from eight games, a full point ahead of her nearest competitor. Her performance earned her $17,750, including a winner’s bonus of $2,750. Belakovskaia, the top seed and previous year’s champion, showcased her prowess with six wins and two draws, rarely facing serious threats.

Junior Championships

In the U.S. Junior Championship, Andy Woodward successfully defended his title, finishing the tournament undefeated with a score of 6.5 points. He overtook the 2023 champion, GM Abhimanyu Mishra, in the final rounds, securing a prize of $23,000, which included a $3,000 bonus.

Meanwhile, Zoey Tang retained her U.S. Girls Junior Championship title with a commanding two-point margin, scoring 7.5 out of nine games and remaining undefeated throughout the tournament. Her efforts earned her $15,000, including a $2,500 winner’s bonus.

A Historic Event

The 2026 U.S. Championships marked a significant milestone in chess history, with all four senior and junior events held together for the first time. The event not only highlighted the talents of seasoned players but also showcased the rising stars of the chess world.

As the dust settles on this thrilling championship, chess enthusiasts are already looking forward to next year’s competition, eager to see if Akopian can defend his title and if new challengers will emerge from the junior ranks.