Wang Leads Four Player Knot in 2020 U.S. Women's Championship

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Annie Wang, Photo Lennart Ootes

IM Annie Wang has raced out to an early lead in the 2020 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship.  

The Los Angeles 18-year-old scored 2.5/3 in the first day of play for the national title, being held online this year by the Saint Louis Chess Club. The event features 12 of the best American female players in a round-robin event, featuring all games with a Rapid G/25+5 time control. The tournament format plays three games per day through Saturday, with each day’s first move starting at 1:00pm central. The 2020 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship may be viewed here.  

Wang leads by a half point over a four-player knot in second place. Trailing is defending U.S. Women’s champion FM Jennifer Yu, who maintains a 21-game unbeaten streak in the women’s championships that dates back to 2018. Currently tied with Yu in second place is seven-time U.S. Women’s champion GM Irina Krush, as well as WGM Tatev Abrahamyan and WIM Emily Nguyen.  

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The 2020 Women’s Championship kicked off with vengeance in the air, as the first round paired Yu with recently re-crowned U.S. Junior Girls Champion IM Carissa Yip – who had beat Yu in that U20 event just two weeks ago. On Wednesday, Yip pushed Yu’s women’s championship undefeated streak to the brink in this endgame where no one was playing for the half-point.  

[pgn][Event "2020 U.S. Women's Championship"] [Site "https://lichess.org/MRIySl3v"] [Date "2020.10.21"] [Round "1.6"] [White "Carissa Yip"] [Black "Jennifer Yu"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "2493"] [BlackElo "2426"] [PlyCount "200"] [EventDate "2020.??.??"] [TimeControl "1500+5"] [WhiteClock "0:00:39"] [BlackClock "0:00:24"] 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nc6 { [%emt 0:00:02]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0: 00:02]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 6. c3 { [%emt 0:00:19]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 7. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:35]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:15] } 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Be6 { [%emt 0:00:07]} 10. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Nf1 {[%emt 0: 02:17]} Qa7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 12. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bxe3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 13. Nxe3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 14. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:30]} c6 { [%emt 0:02:49]} 15. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} d5 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 16. exd5 {[%emt 0: 00:05]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 17. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 18. a4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 19. Nf1 {[%emt 0:02:21]} Qc7 {[%emt 0: 03:04]} 20. Qe2 {[%emt 0:03:36]} e4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 21. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 22. dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 23. Ng3 { [%emt 0:01:52]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 24. Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Qxc4 {[%emt 0: 03:05]} 25. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 26. Bb3 {[%emt 0:01:50] } Re5 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 27. Nf1 {[%emt 0:02:05]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:01:25]} 28. Bc2 { [%emt 0:00:11]} Rg5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 29. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Re8 {[%emt 0:01: 24]} 30. Re3 {[%emt 0:01:09]} N4d5 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 31. Ree1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32. Rad1 {[%emt 0:00:59]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 33. Nde2 { [%emt 0:01:28]} N4d5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 34. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00: 15]} 35. Nde2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} N4d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 36. h4 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Rge5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 37. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 38. Rd4 { [%emt 0:00:19]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 39. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00: 06]} 40. Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 41. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 42. Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 43. Rd7 { [%emt 0:00:30]} R5e7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 44. Rxe7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Rxe7 {[%emt 0: 00:00]} 45. Bd1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bxd1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 46. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:02] } g6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 47. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 48. Nf4 { [%emt 0:00:06]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 49. Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00: 02]} 50. Rd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 51. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 52. b3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 53. Rd6 {[%emt 0: 00:15]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 54. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 55. Rd5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 56. bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc4 { [%emt 0:00:08]} 57. Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 58. Rc5 {[%emt 0: 00:04]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 59. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 60. Rd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 61. a5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nxa5 { [%emt 0:00:03]} 62. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 63. Rd6 {[%emt 0: 00:04]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 64. c4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ra3+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 65. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 66. Nh3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ke8 { [%emt 0:00:19]} 67. c5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rd2+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 68. Ke5 {[%emt 0: 00:03]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 69. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rd2+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 70. Kc4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rc2+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 71. Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rb2+ { [%emt 0:00:04]} 72. Ka6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 73. fxe3 {[%emt 0: 00:04]} Rxg2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 74. c6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Re2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 75. c7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 76. Ng5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ra3+ { [%emt 0:00:05]} 77. Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 78. Kc5 {[%emt 0: 00:10]} Nc8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 79. Rd8+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 80. Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 81. Rg7+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ne7 { [%emt 0:00:01]} 82. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 83. Ke5 {[%emt 0: 00:04]} Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 84. Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 85. Nf7+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 86. Ng5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kd6 { [%emt 0:00:05]} 87. Nf7+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 88. Ng5 { [%emt 0:00:12]} Nd5+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 89. Kxg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rxg7+ {[%emt 0: 00:04]} 90. Kxg7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 91. Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 92. Kxh5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 93. Nf3 { [%emt 0:00:06]} Nf4+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 94. Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00: 04]} 95. Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} f4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 96. Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 97. Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ng7+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 98. Kh6 { [%emt 0:00:02]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 99. Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ng7+ {[%emt 0:00: 03]} 100. Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:00] } 1/2-1/2 [/pgn]

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Wang opened the day with back-to-back wins, including some revenge of her own in a vicious kingside attack over WIM Emily Nguyen, who had defeated Wang two weeks ago in the 2020 U.S. Junior Girls Championship. Wang followed on Wednesday with this second-round win, leaning on an early exchange blunder by WIM Ashritha Eswaran to earn a checkmate on the board.  

[pgn][Event "2020 U.S. Women's Championship"] [Site "https://lichess.org/DU8OHehH"] [Date "2020.10.21"] [Round "2.4"] [White "Annie Wang"] [Black "Ashritha Eswaran"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A70"] [WhiteElo "2458"] [BlackElo "2292"] [PlyCount "105"] [EventDate "2020.??.??"] [TimeControl "1500+5"] [WhiteClock "0:00:21"] [BlackClock "0:00:12"] 1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} e6 {[%emt 0: 00:01]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. d5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. Nc3 {[%emt 0: 00:01]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 7. h3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 8. e4 { [%emt 0:00:01]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:27] } 10. a4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 11. O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ne8 { [%emt 0:00:03]} 12. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 13. Be7 {[%emt 0: 00:28]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 14. Bxf8 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nxf8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 15. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 16. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:00:51]} f6 { [%emt 0:00:21]} 17. Rac1 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Qf7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 18. Ne2 { [%emt 0:00:38]} g5 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 19. b4 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:00:25] } 20. bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 21. e5 {[%emt 0:01:20]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:01:25]} 22. Rxc5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 23. Qc2 { [%emt 0:03:36]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 24. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:01: 35]} 25. Rc3 {[%emt 0:02:38]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 26. Be4 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 27. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 28. Rcc1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 29. Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00: 57]} 30. N3d4 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:02:39]} 31. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 32. Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 33. Qc4 { [%emt 0:01:00]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 34. Rc1 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:00: 17]} 35. Qg4 {[%emt 0:02:17]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:02:44]} 36. Qf3 {[%emt 0:02:09]} e4 {[%emt 0:02:31]} 37. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 38. R8c4 { [%emt 0:00:58]} Ne2+ {[%emt 0:00:54]} 39. Qxe2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qxf5 {[%emt 0: 00:02]} 40. Rc7+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 41. Qa2+ {[%emt 0:00:08] } Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 42. Qf7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 43. g4 { [%emt 0:00:25]} Qg6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 44. Qxg6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} hxg6 {[%emt 0: 00:00]} 45. R1c6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 46. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 47. Rxg6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Be5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 48. Re7 { [%emt 0:00:04]} Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 49. gxf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00: 09]} 50. f6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 51. Rh6+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 52. Rg7+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 53. Rh8# { [%emt 0:00:06] } 1-0 [/pgn]

Despite only two decisions, Wednesday’s third round was particularly filled with action, including three draws that could be described in any way but peaceful. Two featured GM Irina Krush and IM Anna Zatonskih, who together dominated a 10-year stretch of American women’s championships, standing in the face of surging youth Wang and Yip. 

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Krush had just two pieces developed from her back rank after 15 moves in a Sicilian when Yip pushed 14. e5, leading to a tactically rich and wide open middlegame. Only five pawns remained on the board after 25 moves, though Krush staved early Yip pressure with a b-pawn distraction that opened white’s king and ushered a safety valve perpetual check.   

[pgn][Event "2020 U.S. Women's Championship"] [Site "https://lichess.org/MLupFaJM"] [Date "2020.10.21"] [Round "3.5"] [White "Carissa Yip"] [Black "Irina Krush"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B81"] [WhiteElo "2493"] [BlackElo "2478"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2020.??.??"] [TimeControl "1500+5"] [WhiteClock "0:01:20"] [BlackClock "0:00:37"] 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d6 {[%emt 0: 00:02]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6. g4 { [%emt 0:00:35]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 8. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:45]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 9. h4 {[%emt 0:01:34]} Rg8 { [%emt 0:00:22]} 10. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nfd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 11. hxg5 { [%emt 0:00:11]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 12. O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:52]} b5 {[%emt 0: 00:35]} 13. Nf3 {[%emt 0:02:05]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 14. e5 {[%emt 0:01:37]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:02:16]} 15. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 16. Nfxg5 { [%emt 0:00:31]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:05:12]} 17. Bg2 {[%emt 0:01:21]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00: 25]} 18. f4 {[%emt 0:01:34]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 19. a3 {[%emt 0:03:44]} b4 { [%emt 0:00:33]} 20. a4 {[%emt 0:02:40]} b3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 21. Nc3 {[%emt 0: 01:19]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:04:22]} 22. Qxg2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} exf4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 23. Nxf7 {[%emt 0:01:17]} Kxf7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 24. Bxf4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} bxc2 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 25. Qxc2 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:03:10]} 26. Qh7+ { [%emt 0:00:54]} Rg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 27. Qh5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00: 02]} 28. Rh1 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Na2+ {[%emt 0:00:59]} 29. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 30. Qh8+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 31. Qh5+ { [%emt 0:00:01]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 32. Qh8+ {[%emt 0:00:38]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00: 02]} 33. Qh5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:11] Normal} 1/2-1/2 [/pgn]

In her only draw of the day, Wang was up two pawns and two minutes when four-time U.S. Women’s Champion Zatonskih began playing off the 5-second increment. But the California IM stalled through liquidation and surrendered pressure in a double-rook endgame that Zatonskih converted to a textbook h-pawn stalemate.  

[pgn][Event "2020 U.S. Women's Championship"] [Site "https://lichess.org/dFEHOz8Y"] [Date "2020.10.21"] [Round "3.4"] [White "Anna Zatonskih"] [Black "Annie Wang"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D38"] [WhiteElo "2458"] [BlackElo "2458"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2020.??.??"] [TimeControl "1500+5"] [WhiteClock "0:00:52"] [BlackClock "0:00:46"] 1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e6 { [%emt 0:00:03]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00: 03]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 6. Bxf6 { [%emt 0:00:05]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 7. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0: 01:04]} 8. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 9. e3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:02]} 10. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 11. O-O { [%emt 0:00:09]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 12. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:03:58]} e5 {[%emt 0:01: 24]} 13. a4 {[%emt 0:02:55]} exd4 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 14. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 15. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 16. Qc2 { [%emt 0:00:21]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 17. a5 {[%emt 0:03:42]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:02: 01]} 18. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Nxd3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 19. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 20. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 21. Qc2 { [%emt 0:03:44]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 22. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:01: 14]} 23. Qc3 {[%emt 0:05:12]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 24. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:07:09]} 25. Qe1 {[%emt 0:00:16]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 26. Qf1 { [%emt 0:00:11]} dxe3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 27. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0: 00:20]} 28. Qf2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 29. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 30. Qg3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Be4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 31. Rf1 { [%emt 0:00:03]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32. Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qxf3 {[%emt 0: 00:17]} 33. Rxf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rdd2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 34. Rg3 {[%emt 0:00:01] } Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 35. h3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 36. Rc1 { [%emt 0:00:04]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 37. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} f4 {[%emt 0:00:06] } 38. Rgc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxg2+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 39. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rgf2+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 40. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rfe2+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 41. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 42. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} f3 {[%emt 0:00: 12]} 43. Rcc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rb1+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 44. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rb2+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 45. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rb1+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} 46. Kf2 { [%emt 0:00:01]} Re2+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 47. Kxf3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rbe1 {[%emt 0: 00:02]} 48. Rg7+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 49. Rcf7+ {[%emt 0:00: 15]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 50. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 51. Rgxe7+ {[%emt 0:00:24]} Rxe7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 52. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rf7+ { [%emt 0:00:10]} 53. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 54. Rxa6 { [%emt 0:00:02]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 55. Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kd8 {[%emt 0:00: 03]} 56. Rh7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 57. Rxh5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 58. Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ra4+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} 59. Kxg5 { [%emt 0:00:02]} Ra5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 60. Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxh5 {[%emt 0: 00:01]} 61. Kxh5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 62. Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 63. h4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 64. h5 { [%emt 0:00:01]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 65. Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00: 01]} 66. h6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 67. h7+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 68. Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:06] } 1/2-1/2 [/pgn]

The third round also featured this bizarre Giuoco Piano between WIM Ashritha Eswaran and IM Dorsa Derakhshani, featuring an incredibly open minefield of a board, where a rook and bishop pair battled the black queen to a bitter end.  

[pgn][Event "2020 U.S. Women's Championship"] [Site "https://lichess.org/LtBCDNIJ"] [Date "2020.10.21"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Ashritha Eswaran"] [Black "Dorsa Derakhshani"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "2292"] [BlackElo "2259"] [PlyCount "196"] [EventDate "2020.??.??"] [TimeControl "1500+5"] [WhiteClock "0:01:51"] [BlackClock "0:00:17"] 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nc6 { [%emt 0:00:01]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0: 00:01]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 6. c3 { [%emt 0:00:02]} Ba7 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:17] } 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} h6 { [%emt 0:00:09]} 10. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 11. Nf1 {[%emt 0: 00:02]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 12. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 13. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 14. Nh4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Bxh3 { [%emt 0:03:53]} 15. gxh3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Qxh3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 16. Nhf5 { [%emt 0:00:01]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 17. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bxf2+ {[%emt 0: 00:30]} 18. Qxf2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nxf2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 19. Kxf2 {[%emt 0:00: 01]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 20. dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:03:34]} 21. Rh1 {[%emt 0:01:52]} Qg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 22. Bxh6 {[%emt 0:01:32]} Nxf5 { [%emt 0:02:20]} 23. Nxf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qxe4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 24. Nxg7 { [%emt 0:00:04]} Red8 {[%emt 0:02:34]} 25. Rag1 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Kf8 {[%emt 0: 00:08]} 26. Nf5+ {[%emt 0:03:48]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 27. Rg8+ {[%emt 0:00:38] } Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 28. Rd1+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 29. Ne7+ {[%emt 0:00:26]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 30. a4+ {[%emt 0:01:07]} Ka5 {[%emt 0:00: 58]} 31. Rgxd8 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Qh4+ {[%emt 0:00:27]} 32. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qh2+ {[%emt 0:00:35]} 33. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Qh5+ {[%emt 0:01:47]} 34. Ke4 { [%emt 0:00:05]} Qh4+ {[%emt 0:01:03]} 35. Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0: 00:26]} 36. Rxd8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 37. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:37] } f6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 38. Rd5+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 39. Bxf6 { [%emt 0:00:10]} Qh7+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 40. Kxe5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Qh2+ {[%emt 0: 00:01]} 41. Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qxb2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 42. Bd1 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qa2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 43. axb5 {[%emt 0:01:17]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 44. Bd8 { [%emt 0:00:24]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 45. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:00: 07]} 46. Be2 {[%emt 0:01:01]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 47. Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Qxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 48. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qc2+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 49. Bd3 { [%emt 0:00:05]} Qg2+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 50. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qf2+ {[%emt 0: 00:09]} 51. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 52. Re5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Qf8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 53. Be7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Qg7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 54. Bd6 { [%emt 0:00:02]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 55. Kb4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Qg4+ {[%emt 0:00: 06]} 56. Re4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qg1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 57. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} c5+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 58. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qa1+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 59. Kd2 { [%emt 0:00:06]} Qb2+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 60. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} b4 {[%emt 0:00: 02]} 61. Be5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Qa2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 62. Kc1 {[%emt 0:02:25]} c4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 63. Bd4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 64. Bb1 { [%emt 0:00:15]} Qg2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 65. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00: 09]} 66. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:34]} b3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 67. Re5+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ka4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 68. Be4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Qf1+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 69. Kd2 { [%emt 0:00:02]} b2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 70. Bc2+ {[%emt 0:00:40]} Kb4 {[%emt 0:00: 07]} 71. Bc5+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 72. Bd4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 73. Bxb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 74. Re2 { [%emt 0:00:08]} Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 75. Be4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kc5 {[%emt 0:00: 01]} 76. Ba3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 77. Bb2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kb4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 78. Bc3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kb3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 79. Bc2+ { [%emt 0:00:01]} Ka3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 80. Bd1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Qf4+ {[%emt 0:00: 05]} 81. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qf5+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 82. Kc1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qf4+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 83. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 84. Re3+ { [%emt 0:00:19]} Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 85. Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00: 21]} 86. Rc2+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Ka3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 87. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qe3+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 88. Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 89. Kc1 { [%emt 0:00:20]} Qe3+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 90. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Qd4 {[%emt 0:00: 05]} 91. Rc3+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 92. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Qg1+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 93. Bd1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 94. Rc2+ { [%emt 0:00:21]} Ka3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 95. Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qb6+ {[%emt 0:00: 12]} 96. Ka1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qd4+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 97. Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Qb6+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 98. Kc1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:09] Normal} 1/2-1/2 [/pgn]

The 2020 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship will continue with rounds 4-6 on Thursday, with first moves kicking off each day at 1:00 p.m. central. Spectators can watch the games along with expert commentary by GMs Yasser Seirawan and Maurice Ashley, along with WGM Jennifer Shahade on uschesschamps.com or on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and TwitchTV channels. 

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