IM Nazi Paikidze came from behind in regulation to catch WIM Annie Wang and eventually won the championship in playoff. After dropping game one of the rapid playoff (G/25, delay of 5), the 2018 U.S. Women’s Championship leveled the score after a convincing win by Paikidze in her turn as White. Then she played the same opening, with an improvement even, to win the Armageddon and her second national title.

Although Wang came up short in the three games in which she could have closed out the tournament, she should be immensely proud of herself. Read more…

On the men’s side, Shankland won his last round game and his sixth victory in St. Louis, to win the 2018 U.S. Championship, a 2700 rating, and a spot on the American team at the next Olympiad. His 8.5/11 final score is tied for the most points in the event since the tournament became a 12-player round robin in 2013. Read more…