Caruana joins So, Sevian in tight race for US Chess crown

Top seed Fabiano Caruana subdued Aleksandr Lenderman and caught up with Sam Sevian and defending champion Wesley So, who drew their matches in the 2021 US Chess Championship on Sunday, October 17 (October 18, Manila time), at the Saint Louis Chess Club in Missouri.

Continuing his climb from the grave, Caruana posted his second straight win and third in the last four rounds to gain momentum in the chase for the $50,000 (P2.5 million) purse.

Caruana, the world No. 2, So, and Sevian have 6 points each heading to the 11th and last round of the over the board classical event on Monday.

The crown, won by So with 9 points last year, now hinges on who among them would prevail over their opponents.

So is pitted against Ray Robson, last year’s third placer; Caruana will tackle 2018 US champion Sam Shankland, while Sevian will tangle with Daniel Naroditsky.

Robson, who has 5.5 points with Leinier Dominguez and Lenderman, has faint title chances if he upsets So. That is if Caruana and Sevian are held to draws.

Dominguez and Lenderman are in the same situation when they battle Darius Swiercz (4 points) and Lazaro Bruzon (3.5), respectively.

Jeffery Xiong, last year’s runner-up who’s way below this year with 4.5 points, takes on John Burke. – Rappler.com