Double Elimination Drama: Highlights from the 2025 American Cup

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to watch chess players go to war politely over 64 squares with a double chance to redeem themselves, welcome to the American Cup 2025. Forget March Madness, this is April Aggression with pawns. Hosted in the ever-iconic Saint Louis Chess Club, the American Cup delivered everything: plot twists, heartbreak, redemption arcs, and the occasional “what was that move?” moment that left even Stockfish gasping.

Let’s break it down.

Hikaru Nakamura: The Content Creator Who Also Happens to Be a Chess Monster

While most of us are out here getting tilted on 3+0 blitz, Hikaru Nakamura casually took the top spot in the Champions Bracket, made it look like a warm-up, then reappeared in the Final like Thanos with a chessboard. His route to victory was clean, tactical, and — in true Hikaru fashion, probably explained to his Twitch chat in real time.

He faced off against Fabiano Caruana in a match that looked like it came straight out of a “Best of American Chess” DVD box set. Hikaru’s prep was sharp, his nerves were steel, and his meme potential? Unlimited.

Fabiano Caruana: The Chess Terminator Who Blinked… Once

Caruana gave us everything, precision, drama, clean opening theory, and the occasional “wait how did he calculate that” moment. He came through the Elimination Bracket like a man on a mission, sending opponents home one by one like he was checking off names on a to-do list.

But against Hikaru, the final hurdle proved just a bit too high. Still, his run was pure grit and showed why he’s still one of the scariest guys to face with White pieces and a slight edge.

Alice Lee: America's New Queen of Chess

Let’s talk about the Women’s section for a second, because Alice Lee absolutely stole the show.

If there were a soundtrack playing during her matches, it would’ve been a mix of Eye of the Tiger and Beethoven’s Fifth. The 14-year-old phenom plowed through the bracket with poise that most of us can only hope for in our third coffee of the day. Her technique was cold-blooded, her calculation sharp, and her confidence? Unshakable.

She didn’t just win — she announced her arrival.

Tatev Abrahamyan: Class, Fight, and Flair

Tatev brought fire and experience to the table and wasn’t going down quietly. She battled her way into the finals, giving fans some of the most dramatic moments in the women’s bracket. Whether it was clutching tight rook endgames or launching daring attacks, she gave Alice a real challenge and reminded everyone that style and substance can coexist.

Why the Double Elimination Format Was the Real MVP

Double elimination in chess? Yeah, it sounds like something you’d expect in a Mortal Kombat tournament. But the format worked. It gave us redemption stories. It gave players second chances. It gave fans… drama.

Every match mattered. You lose? You're not done. You just have to go full beast mode in the Elimination Bracket. It created tension, forced creativity, and, let’s be honest, made the whole event way more fun to watch than your standard Swiss snooze fest.

Takeaways from the Madness

• The top US players are not just strong. They’re built different.

• The kids are not just the future. They’re the present.

• The double elimination format should definitely stay.

• And yes, Hikaru can probably calculate your life decisions faster than you can make them.

If you missed the American Cup this year, you missed chess with energy. Chess with stakes. Chess with revenge arcs. But don’t worry. There’s always next year. Just be ready — the drama’s not going anywhere.

And neither is Hikaru.



Sources:
- 2025 American Cup - U.S. Chess Champs
- The American Cup 2025 Day 1: Nakamura, Caruana Miss Wins Vs. Mishra, Robson - Chess.com