Quelle: Fide

U.S. Championships: Akopian, Lee and Yoo clinch titles

The US Junior and Senior Championship concluded on July 25, with three national champions crowned in Saint Louis. All three competitions—the US Junior, US Junior Girls, and U.S. Senior championships—were 10-player round-robin tournaments with classical time control. The total prize fund of the championships exceeded $135,000.

GM Vladimir Akopian dominated the U.S. Senior Championship, securing the title with a round to spare with 7/9. The resident of Glendale, California, scored 4.5/5 at the start and never looked back. Akopian, the only unbeaten player in the tournament, received a $20,000 prize for his effort.

GM Jesse Kraai suffered two losses, including one to the champion in Round 5, but finished strong with four straight victories to take silver. GMs Joel Benjamin and Larry Christiansen tied for third place on 5/9.

GM Christopher Yoo confirmed his status as a rating favourite, convincingly winning the title at the junior event. The only undefeated player in the tournament, he drew with top-four finishers and beat five other participants to score an impressive 7/9.

Justin Wang finished a full point behind the champion and took silver. Andrew Z Hong and Jason Wang both netted 5.5/9 and tied for third place.

Last year’s winner, Alice Lee, successfully defended his title (7/9) in a close race with Rose Atwell, who finished just a half-point behind. In hindsight, their see-saw clash in Round 3, which Lee won, tipped the balance in her favor. With her junior title, Alice qualified for the upcoming U.S. Women’s Championship.