Exciting Results from Day Three of the 2024 National Championships

The 2024 US National Championships saw a shift in the number of decisive games today, with only seven games falling into that category. However, more than half of these decisive games came from a single tournament, making for an exciting day of chess.

In the Senior section, players displayed remarkable accuracy, with four games ending in draws where both players maintained above 95% accuracy throughout. A notable game between GMs Melikset Khachiyan and Alexander Shabalov showcased a battle of wits, with neither player giving an inch of space to the other, resulting in a logical draw.

The top seed and leader GM Vladimir Akopian was the only player to secure a win today, extending his lead in the tournament after a victory over GM Larry Christiansen. Akopian now holds a one-and-a-half point lead after just three rounds, setting himself up as a strong contender for the title.

In contrast, the Girls’ Junior section saw mostly decisive games, with only one game ending in a draw. WFM Megan Paragua settled for a repetition against WIM Iris Mou, while other players like WFM Rachael Li and WFM Yassamin Ehsani secured wins to join the chasing pack in the tournament.

In the Junior section, GM Balaji Daggupati and IM Justin Wang secured decisive wins, shaking up the standings and adding excitement to the competition. Daggupati’s second consecutive victory allowed him to rebound from an initial loss, while Wang’s third consecutive win put him on the opposite side of the standings from Nicholas Ladan.

Overall, the 2024 US National Championships continue to deliver thrilling games and unexpected outcomes, keeping chess fans on the edge of their seats. Stay tuned for more updates and follow the action live to see who will emerge victorious in this prestigious tournament.