Friedel Leads U.S. Open After the Merge

At the U.S. Open, we know there are a ton of chess players around, but it doesn’t always feel that way during the first few days. Some players are off in the invitationals, others are at side events, and some are attending (or leading) committee meetings and workshops. Of those who are playing in the main event, there are three different schedules, so the playing hall feels half-empty at any given time.

And then, there’s the merge. Over 500 players competed in the seventh round of the 125th Annual U.S. Open on Friday, August 1, in Middleton, WI for the first of three merged rounds this weekend. Participants will again scatter around the Madison Marriott West — this weekend’s side events include today’s blitz, tomorrow’s scholastic championship, and a weekend Swiss, and then of course there’s the Delegates Meeting — but, come 7 p.m. tonight, they will again congregate in one room under one time control.

After seven rounds, GM Joshua Friedel leads the field with a perfect 7/7 score after defeating the previously unblemished GM Varuzhan Akobian in round six. Below, WGM Sabina Foisor annotates the key game for the U.S. Championship qualification spot:

Friedel, who is the 2013 U.S. Open champion, will presumably face IM Sam Schmakel tonight, as Schmakel currently sits in clear second with 6½/7 after drawing GM Dariusz Swiercz as Black on board two. An additional 16 players boast 6/7 scores, eight of the 12 additional grandmasters in the field.

Tune in to our Twitch channel at 7 p.m. CDT for Sabina’s live coverage of the penultimate round. Below, enjoy her favorite moments from Friday’s rounds:

Friday also featured the US Chess Awards reception, where this year’s recipients were honored by US Chess President Kevin Pryor and given a chance to share their stories, experiences, and love for the game. Look for more photos from the reception in the coming days.