ST. LOUIS, MO – International Master Anna Sargsyan delivered a stunning, near-flawless performance in Round 2 of the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, defeating eight-time American champion GM Irina Krush.
Playing with the white pieces, the debutante sealed the monumental victory in just 47 moves, maintaining her perfect 2/2 score and immediately establishing herself as a formidable contender.
The win against the legendary Krush, a player recently inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, was not just an upset, but a masterclass in aggressive, precise chess.
Post-game analysis from Chess.com revealed Sargsyan’s phenomenal 92.6% accuracy, a mind-boggling figure for her U.S. Championship debut, especially when facing such an experienced opponent whose own accuracy stood at 83%.
The game was a fierce battle, but Sargsyan’s handling of the attacking possibilities proved decisive. The turning point came in the middlegame when the Armenian-born IM fearlessly opened the position against Krush’s king.
Reflecting on the critical phase of the game, Sargsyan highlighted her strategic intent: “I actually liked my position after h4, hxg5, fxg5 because of the exposed king.” This bold, kingside thrust created the irreparable weaknesses that ultimately led to Krush’s resignation.
Despite the magnitude of the victory, Sargsyan remained measured in her comments, demonstrating the focus of a seasoned competitor: “I am feeling just okay, honestly, nothing special, cause there are still nine rounds to go and this is a tough tournament. Of course, it is good to start with 2 out of 2, but it is okay.”
However, she couldn’t hide the satisfaction of achieving such a major scalp: “It feels great, of course, I have never played against her, and yeah, winning feels good. I mean, always winning against a stronger opponent feels good.”
Sargsyan’s calculated aggression and machine-like accuracy have now sent a clear message to the field: her U.S. debut is a serious challenge for the title. With nine rounds yet to play, her perfect start and composure under pressure have made Anna Sargsyan the talk of the tournament, with fans eagerly watching to see if she can maintain this incredible level of play.
