FILIPINO grandmaster Wesley So and Alexander Onischuk played to quick draws with their rivals Sunday.
Because they kept their share of the lead after the 11th and final round, So and Onischuk will meet in a tiebreaking playoff Monday to determine the champion of the 2017 United States Chess Championship men’s division.
The 23-year-old So and Daniel Naroditsky drew in just 14 moves of a Ruy Lopez Opening at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.
Onischuk, who is seeking his second crown since last winning it in 2006, played five-time titlist Gata Kamsky to a draw in 30 moves of a Ruy Lopez.
It was quickly over for So and Naroditsky in just 17 minutes.
The white-playing Naroditsky did not look for more chances to attack after he led a knight and pawn exchange in the sixth move.
So said in an interview with the Minnetonka Star Tribune that he had expected a fighting game.
But, he was surprised when Naroditsky decided not to go into any more risks.
“He didn’t do anything wrong. I mean I think his choice was reasonable. He didn’t want to take much risk,” said So.
GM Hikaru Nakamura turned back Varuzhan Akobian in 56 moves of a King’s Indian Attack to move up to a share of third with 6.5 points.
Nakamura and Akobian are in third with fifth with world no. 3 Fabiano Caruana.
Caruana finished his campaign with a 40-move triumph over Ray Robson in their Classical French Defense game.