The American Cup 2024, featuring an exciting and rare double elimination format, returned to Saint Louis Chess Club. The tournament brought world-class chess masters to America’s chess capital to compete in a fierce do-or-die struggle for $400,000 in prize money. Fans can expect the American Cup to have a combination of exciting chess play, stunning upsets, and epic comebacks. In this unique double-elimination format, the losers of each match will get relegated to the Elimination Bracket, where they will get a second chance to continue the tournament.
Round 1 saw many tense battles, with one major upset in the open section.
Fabiano Caruana cruised through his match with Grigoriy Oparin after winning both classical and rapid games on the first day and drawing the classical one on the second day. Oparin is not out but relegated to the elimination bracket, where he will have another chance.
Wesley So is also through after winning the classical game on the second day in his match with Sam Shankland.
The first upset of the event went to Ray Robson who managed to defeat Lernier Dominguez in their match, winning the second classical game and drawing the second rapid encounter.
The match between Levon Aronian and Sam Sevian went the distance to the blitz playoff, won by Levon by the score of 2-0.
In the women’s section, Nazi Paikidze, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova and Alison Lee took the lead in their matches on the first day and needed just a draw in the second classical game to advance to the next round. All three completed this task, relegating Anna Zanonskih, Tatev Abrahamyan and Jennifer Yu to the elimination bracket.
After losing the first classical game to Zoey Tang, Irina Krush staged a comeback, winning three straight games and moving to the next round.
Day 3 of the American Cup continues on Wednesday, March 14th at 1:20 PM CDT with live commentary from Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan, Cristian Chirila and Woman Grandmaster Anastasia Karlovich.
Photo: Courtesy of Saint Louis Chess Club, Lennart Ootes
Official website: uschesschamps.com/2024-american-cup/overview