Exciting Updates from the 2024 U.S. Chess Championships: Carissa Yip Continues Dream Run, Fabiano Caruana Maintains Lead

IM Carissa Yip continued her impressive winning streak in the Women’s Championship at the 2024 U.S. Chess Championships by defeating WGM Atousa Pourkashiyan to reach a perfect 8/8 score. Meanwhile, GM Fabiano Caruana maintained his lead in the open section with 5/7 after a draw against GM Wesley So in the eighth round.

In the open section, GM Hans Niemann secured the only win of the round by capitalizing on a blunder by GM Abhimanyu Mishra in a critical rook endgame. Niemann now shares the second spot with GM Awonder Liang on 4.5/7.

In the Women’s Championship, young IM Alice Lee scored a crucial victory over heavyweight GM Irina Krush to move into the third spot with five points, trailing behind IM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova on five and a half points.

The tension in the championships was palpable as players entered the final stretch of the tournament. GM Hans Niemann added a touch of fun by deciding his opening move with Wesley So through a game of rock, paper, scissors before their match.

Despite the statistical odds favoring Caruana to win the tournament, he faced a tough challenge from So and settled for a draw. Meanwhile, Liang’s strategic gameplay in a French Defense exchange variation against Sam Sevian raised eyebrows as he opted for a quick draw.

In the Women’s Championship, Carissa Yip’s swift and confident play in the Tiger’s Modern Defense impressed commentators, with GM Cristian Chirila praising her clock pressure tactics. Yip’s dominance in the tournament has garnered attention from chess enthusiasts and legends alike.

With the ninth round set to begin after a rest day, all eyes are on Yip’s quest for a perfect score and Caruana’s defense of his lead in the U.S. Chess Championships. The tournament promises more exciting matchups and strategic battles as the players vie for the prestigious titles.