Chess with Sam Collins

Sam Shankland vs Awonder Liang

US Championship 2018

Sam Shankland was the surprise winner of the 2018 US Championship, finishing ahead of three top–ten players and raising his rating to the elite 2700 level.

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 e5!?

This game was played in the final round, with Shankland leading the field by half a point. Instead of the quiet variations after 7 . ...