2021 US Championship - commentary on games

[Hans Jung]

rd 9 all the leaders drew: So, Lenderman, Sevian with 5.5 followed by Dominguez, Caruana, Robson with 5. You cant ask for a closer, competitive finish.

[Mario Moran-Venegas]

Gm goryachkina...

[Mario Moran-Venegas]

First ever

[Hans Jung]

Gm goryachkina...

I think this belongs in the Russian Superfinal thread on page 2.

[Hans Jung]

First ever

First ever what?

[Hans Jung]

Rd 10 Who will win big today?

[Hans Jung]

what a ridiculous move by swiercz, it's easy to say as a spectator but Rh3 is nonsense

It does make one wonder. You would think a 2600 grandmaster would attempt to make a bridge and shut out the king. (the computer suggests Rd3 to keep the king at least 3 files away) Basic endgame technique. What Ive noticed about GM Swiercz is sometimes he plays very well and sometimes he plays very badly (for a 2600 GM)

[Connor Gherasim]

It does make one wonder. You would think a 2600 grandmaster would attempt to make a bridge and shut out the king. (the computer suggests Rd3 to keep the king at least 3 files away) Basic endgame technique. What Ive noticed about GM Swiercz is sometimes he plays very well and sometimes he plays very badly (for a 2600 GM)

i guess it's a draw anyway (according to our tablebase overlords; i couldnt possibly comment on theoretical endgames :-] ) but you'd think he might like to try and play for the full point with more precise play. anyway

lenderman-caruana should be a fun game today

[Hans Jung]

I like what Irina Krush is doing. In a must win situation she is playing the Kings Indian.
So is Caruana. (to avoid confusion I should say Fabiano Caruana likewise)

[Hans Jung]

Alex Lenderman had a very tough job defending and couldnt find key moves. Fabiano Caruana ended up winning an interesting attacking game. So and Sevian drew. Xiong and Dominguez drew, The leader board changes. Caruana, So, and Sevian with 6. Dominguez, Robson and Lenderman with 5.5 going into the last round. WoW!

[Hans Jung]

Nazi Paikidze had an edge but inexplicably played f4 opening up in the face of Carissa Yips kingside attack. As a result Carissa Yip wins the championship with one round to go.

[Hans Jung]

For Sam Sevian its his moment to shine. Best result in his career so far.

[Mario Moran-Venegas]

First ever what?

First ever woman to play in OPEN Russian superfinals

[Hans Jung]

John Burke won a nice attacking miniature against Xiong in the last round. His - 1 finish is a great result. Even though he was lowest rated by far he played with confidence and good preparation.

Both Sevian and So drew their games very quickly in the last round to leave the door open for Caruana to finish clear first. But Sam Shankland could play the hero if he holds a draw against Caruana. Nice queen sacrifice Sam!

[Hans Jung]

Sam Shankland held the draw against Fabiano Caruana and even outplayed him in the later stages! Awesome!