American Cup 2026: Upsets and Draws Define Day Four Action

Chess Titans Fall in Dramatic Day at The American Cup 2026

St. Louis, MO — The chess world witnessed shocking upsets and intense battles as the first day of elimination rounds unfolded at The American Cup 2026. Grandmasters Ray Robson and Abhimanyu Mishra were the first to exit the tournament after their matches in the Elimination Bracket ended in disappointment. Meanwhile, seasoned GMs Levon Aronian and Leinier Dominguez advanced, showcasing their experience against the younger competitors.

In the Champions Bracket, the spotlight was on GM Fabiano Caruana and GM Awonder Liang, as well as GM Wesley So and GM Sam Sevian. Both matches ended in draws, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion on Friday.

Women’s Tournament Upsets

In a surprising turn of events, GM Irina Krush and IM Anna Zatonskih were eliminated from The Women’s American Cup 2026. Krush faced WIM Rachael Li, a debutant who pulled off a stunning upset, while Zatonskih battled IM Anna Sargsyan in a nail-biting match that went to armageddon tiebreaks.

In the Champions Bracket, IM Alice Lee and IM Carissa Yip both secured points, inching closer to the finals. Yip’s victory over IM Tatev Abrahamyan was particularly noteworthy, earning her the title of Game of the Day.

Day Four Preview

As the tournament progresses, Day Four promises to be electrifying. Matches will resume on Friday, March 6, starting at 1:10 p.m. ET, with players eager to secure their spots in the finals.

Open Bracket: A Battle of Wits

The Elimination Round saw Aronian and Dominguez outmaneuver their younger opponents. Aronian’s match against Mishra was particularly intense, with the young prodigy holding advantages in both games but ultimately falling short. “I knew I was in trouble. That was part of the plan!” Aronian quipped after his victory.

Dominguez, on the other hand, displayed a commanding performance against Robson, winning both games decisively. “It’s nice to have a second chance!” he remarked, reflecting on the double-elimination format.

Women’s Bracket: A Tale of Two Annas

In the women’s elimination matches, Li’s victory over Krush was a rollercoaster ride. Despite being outplayed for much of the match, Li capitalized on Krush’s time troubles to secure her spot in the next round. “The only way I thought I would have a chance would be to get her low on time, and it worked out pretty well,” Li said.

Sargsyan’s marathon match against Zatonskih was equally gripping, culminating in a dramatic armageddon showdown. “It’s not what I expected, and I definitely don’t like it so far!” Sargsyan admitted, reflecting on the pressure of knockout play.

Looking Ahead

With the Champions Bracket set to resume on Friday, all eyes will be on Caruana, Liang, So, and Sevian as they vie for a place in the finals. The stakes are high, and the tension palpable as players prepare for what promises to be a thrilling continuation of The American Cup 2026.

As the tournament unfolds, chess enthusiasts around the world will be eagerly watching to see who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes battle of intellect and strategy.