Wesley Wins 2026 US Chess Championship

Greetings to all chess fans!

Philippine born Wesley So has once again proven his class by winning the 2026 U.S. Chess Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. What appeared to be a straightforward title run turned into an exciting finish, with Wesley eventually overcoming Fabiano Caruana in a playoff to claim his fourth US championship.

Wesley had been playing consistently throughout the tournament and entered the eleventh round with a full point lead. He only needed a draw against Samuel Sevian to secure the title. However, the unexpected happened. Sam managed to defeat him, while Fabi won his own game against Awonder Liang. The two leaders finished tied on seven points out of eleven, making a playoff necessary.

This was tough for Wesley who said in the interview that he wasn't able to sleep after the loss. Losing a game when a draw would have been enough to win the championship could easily affect a player's confidence. Yet, he showed his resilience when it mattered most. In the rapid playoff, Wesley defeated Fabi by 1.5–0.5 to take the title.

He won in the second rapid game after drawing the first game where Fabi had the advantage. The winning moment came when Fabi blundered a piece.

After this, Fabi tried to fight on but it was already over as there was no compensation for the lost piece.

This win shows that a tournament is not over until the final game is finished. Even the strongest grandmasters make mistakes and suffer unexpected defeats. What separates successful players is their ability to recover, stay focused and seize the next opportunity.

Congratulations to Wesley So on his victory. Pinoy chess fans everywhere are proud of his achievement. This is his fourth U.S. Championship title that shows his strength and fighting spirit.