GMs Levon Aronian and Irina Krush prevailed within the Champions Bracket on day six of the 2024 American Cup.
With pragmatic play, Aronian equalized vs. GM Ray Robson, clinching the match with ease after his 2-0 begin the day earlier than. Channeling her attribute willpower, Krush received her match with a spherical to spare vs. IM Alice Lee.
Within the Elimination Bracket, GM Wesley So fought again vs. GM Fabiano Caruana to reach the blitz playoff. WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova defeated WGM Jennifer Yu, ending their match with a hat trick of victories.
The Elimination Bracket Last begins on Monday, March 17, 2024, at 2:20 p.m. ET/19:20 CET/11:50 p.m. IST.
Champions
Elimination
Champions—Open: Aronian Wins $15,000 Bonus With Ease
Needing two back-to-back victories vs. Aronian is a frightening feat for any participant. Robson pressed his white benefit, gaining house on the queenside and concentrating on Black’s heart. But, Aronian was capable of equalize with sensible, energetic play. After many items have been exchanged, the gamers repeated within the queen and bishop ending.
This draw introduced Aronian’s rating to 2.5/3, giving him the match victory a spherical early. He has secured the $15,000 Champions Bracket and a break day on Monday when the Elimination Bracket Last happens.
Champions—Ladies’s: Krush Fights To Three-Peat Champions Bonus
Lee gained a small edge vs. Krush, however the eight-time U.S. Ladies’s champion was capable of regroup her forces and generate appreciable strain on her opponent’s remoted pawn, in the end successful it.
After the sport, Krush shared: “Largely it’s feelings greater than ideas. When you’ve a recreation like that, you simply type of give it all the pieces. I really feel so relieved, so joyful as a result of there was a lot at stake on this match.”
I really feel so relieved, so joyful as a result of there was a lot at stake on this match.
―Irina Krush
Krush has secured the $9,000 Champions Bracket bonus and a free day earlier than her final matchup.
Elimination—Open: So’s Blitz Techniques Triumph
In a nail-biter match, So prevailed vs. Caruana in additional time. So overpressed with White in recreation two, however he made up for it within the subsequent recreation. Staring down the barrel of elimination, So fought his means out of Caruana’s assault right into a strategically successful ending.
Within the playoff, So took over, successful the primary with a queen sacrifice and discovering a sneaky perpetual examine within the second. His blitz victory is our Recreation of the Day. Take pleasure in the next evaluation by GM Rafael Leitao coming quickly.
Looking forward to his rematch vs. Robson, So shared: “I’m anticipating revenge. If Ray is listening, I’m going to attempt to flag him each recreation.”
I’m anticipating revenge. If Ray is listening, I’m going to attempt to flag him each recreation.
―Wesley So
Elimination—Ladies’s: Tokhirjonova Finishes With 3 Wins In A Row
Yu took the primary lead, however Tokhirjonova took the final. Enjoying aggressively from the opening in recreation one, Yu evoked a dynamic battle and pounced when her opponent made an inaccuracy.
In recreation three, Tokhirjonova struck again in the same model.
Tokhirjonova received the final three video games, efficiently navigating the extremely tactical positions she and Yu created.
Afterward, the 25-year-old lady grandmaster shared:
I simply received mad. I used to be so pissed off that I misplaced a recreation as a result of I felt like I used to be simply slipping the entire recreation. I used to be like, I’ve received to get up, so it helped me. Typically I would like that one punch to get up. Fortunately, the match was 4 video games, not two. In any other case, it would be very robust to return again.
Typically I would like this one punch to get up.
―Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova
The 2024 American Cup is an over-the-board match in St. Louis that includes a few of the strongest gamers in america. Break up into Open and Ladies’s sections, the gamers will compete in a double-elimination knockout bracket whereas contesting for his or her share of the $400,000 prize fund.
Earlier Protection:
- Aronian Sweeps, Krush Leads, Comebacks For Caruana, So, Yu
- The Finals Are Set: Aronian vs. Robson, 5x Krush vs. Lee
- Krush, Lee Storm To 2-0; Eliminations Start
- Veterans Chuckle Final: Aronian Wins Blitz Playoffs, Krush Recovers In Ladies’s
- Caruana, Lee, Tokhirjonova, Paikidze Begin With Double Wins
- Caruana, So, Krush, And Lee Headline 2024 American Cup
