Wesley So Blundered—Then Sam Shankland Missed the Win! | U.S. Chess Championship 2026

One critical mistake nearly turned Wesley So’s U.S. Chess Championship opener upside down! In Round 1 of the 2026 U.S. Chess Championship, Wesley So faced Sam Shankland in a dramatic 80-move battle at the Saint Louis Chess Club. The biggest turning point came on move 38. So played 38.Ng3??, giving Shankland a major opportunity with 38...Rxe5!. But Shankland missed the chance and played 38...c5?, allowing So to escape the danger. The game was far from over. Both grandmasters continued fighting, and So eventually converted the endgame after Shankland made another technical mistake. So secured the victory on his 33rd birthday. Watch the full game to see the missed tactical opportunity, the tense endgame, and how one critical decision can change a grandmaster chess battle. ♟️ Subscribe to @CheckMate1991 for more grandmaster games, chess tactics, dramatic finishes, and major tournament coverage. Game: Wesley So vs Sam Shankland Event: U.S. Chess Championship 2026 Round: 1 Result: Wesley So won Length: 80 moves #WesleySo #SamShankland #USChessChampionship #ChessTactics #ChessAnalysis #CheckMate1991