Rachael Li Dominates with 4/4 as Competition Heats Up in All Sections
Rachael Li Improves to 4/4, All Sections Remain Tight
St. Louis, MO – In a thrilling day of chess at the 2026 U.S. Junior and Senior Championships, WIM Rachael Li solidified her position at the top of the Girls’ Junior Championship with a nail-biting victory, bringing her score to an impressive 4/4. However, she faces stiff competition as WGM Zoey Tang also secured her third consecutive win, keeping the pressure on Li.
The tournament has proven to be a rollercoaster of emotions, with only two players boasting better than a 3/4 score, both of whom are in the same section. The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce.
Girls’ Junior Championship: Rachael Li Can’t Lose
In her latest match against WIM Chloe Gaw, Li found herself in a precarious position early on. Gaw’s initial patient strategy turned passive, allowing Li to trade pieces and create complications for her opponent. The game transitioned into a rook-and-pawn endgame that seemed destined for a draw—if not for the tournament’s “no draw offer” rule, which kept both players fighting until the bitter end.
Li’s resilience paid off, and she emerged victorious, while Tang showcased her prowess against 12-year-old WFM Aimee Yang, employing a sharp Grunfeld defense that ultimately fell short against Tang’s superior positional understanding.
Today, Li will face FM Megan Paragua, who currently holds a solid 2½/4, while Tang goes up against Iowa’s CM Irene Jiao Fei, who is gaining momentum after her first win of the tournament.
Junior Championship: Ngo, Woodward Join Mishra
In the Junior Championship, GM Abhimanyu Mishra, the tournament leader, faced GM Brewington Hardaway in a match that ended in a draw, allowing both IM Bach Ngo and GM Andy Woodward to catch up. Ngo, in particular, is making waves in his first U.S. Junior Championship, having outplayed GM-Elect Liam Putnam to secure his third victory.
Today, both Ngo and Mishra will play with the white pieces against Hardaway and GM Nico Chasin, respectively, while Woodward takes on IM Evan Park as Black.
Senior Championship: Shabalov, the People’s Champion
The Senior Championship saw GM Vladimir Akopian enter the round with a perfect 3/3 score but left with a mixed bag of results. After losing to GM Alexander Shabalov, Akopian remains in first place, albeit with five players now trailing closely behind.
Shabalov’s victory showcased his ability to capitalize on Akopian’s uncharacteristic impatience, turning a drawish endgame into a winning position. Today, Akopian will look to rebound against GM Alexander Goldin, while last year’s champion, GM Alexander Fishbein, faces Shabalov.
Senior Women’s Championship: Belakovskaia Shakes Up Standings
In the Senior Women’s Championship, WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia made headlines by defeating pre-round leader Jennifer Skidmore Smith, shaking up the standings. With four players now tied at 2½ points, the competition is heating up as Belakovskaia and WFM Natalya Tsodikova, who also won her match, look to capitalize on their games in hand.
Today’s key matchup features WIM Alexey Root against WFM Ivona Jezierska, who is eager to maintain her momentum after a thrilling draw in the previous round.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the players as they navigate the complexities of their matches, with the standings remaining tight across all sections. The excitement continues to build as the championship unfolds in St. Louis.
For live updates and commentary, fans can tune into the Saint Louis Chess Club’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
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