American Cup 2024: Round 2 recap

The second round of the American Cup 2024 featured dramatic matches as four players advanced to the finals of the Champions Bracket.

Ray Robson held onto his lead over Wesley So by drawing two games on the second day and advanced to the final.

Robson will take on Levon Aronian, who prevailed over Fabiano Caruana in the blitz tiebreaker (2-0) after the opponents drew all four regular (two classical and two rapid) games.

Fabiano and Wesley will have another chance in the Elimination Bracket, facing off against Lernier Dominguez and Sam Sevian, respectively.

After winning two games over Nazi Paikidze on the first day, Irina Krush lost the first one on the second day but bounced back in the rapid game to clinch the match by the score of 3-1.

It sets up a final in the women’s section between Irina Krush and Alice Lee, who whitewashed Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova (3-0). It will be their third straight meeting in the American Cup finals.

In the women’s Elimination Bracket, Nazi Paikidze will face Jennifer Yu, while Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova is taking on Zoey Tang.  

Photo: Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes

Official website: uschesschamps.com/2024-american-cup/overview