Arman Mikaelyan Leads American Open Championship After Four Rounds

ByNikhil Dixit

The 2025 American Open Chess Championship is heating up in Los Angeles as Grandmaster (GM) Arman Mikaelyan of Armenia has surged to the top of the Championship Section with a perfect 4/4 score. After four intense rounds featuring top international talent, Mikaelyan stands as the sole leader, followed closely by a pack of grandmasters and strong international masters.

Held from November 25 to November 30, the Championship Section follows a 9-round FIDE-rated Swiss system and offers opportunities for title norms. With its enhanced US Grand Prix status and guaranteed prize fund—$3,500 for first place—the event has attracted a deep field of titled players, including GMs Mark Heimann, Ehsan Ghaemmaghami, and James Tarjan, as well as a number of rising stars from the U.S. scholastic circuit.

Mikaelyan’s Dominant Start

GM Arman Mikaelyan has been unstoppable so far. His campaign began with wins over lower-rated opposition but quickly escalated in difficulty. In Round 3, he defeated GM Richard Bitoon, and in Round 4 he overcame WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet, who had also started strongly with three wins.

With four consecutive victories—over players rated 2197, 2110, 2354, and 2314—Mikaelyan has displayed exceptional form in both dynamic and positional positions. His strong performance already places him as the top contender for the Championship title and a possible norm run.

Chasing Pack Just Half a Point Behind

GM Mark Heimann (USA), a former U.S. Junior Champion, follows closely with 3.5/4. Heimann secured wins in his first two rounds, split the point against IM Saksham Rautela in Round 3, and defeated WIM Ann Chumpitaz in Round 4. His consistency and clean technique make him one of the biggest threats to Mikaelyan as the tournament moves toward its key middle rounds.

Joining him at 3.5/4 are:

  • GM Ehsan Ghaemmaghami (Iran) – unbeaten with wins in Rounds 2–4, including a solid victory over FM Dylan Tang.
  • IM Karolis Juksta (Lithuania) – another standout performer who has shown excellent form with back-to-back wins over strong opponents including IM Harutyun Movsisyan.
  • IM Oleksii Bilych (Ukraine) – with two wins, one half-point bye, and a Round 4 draw against IM Saksham Rautela.

These five players are within striking distance of the leader, setting the stage for some fierce clashes in Rounds 5 and 6.

Ouellet and Chumpitaz Shine Among Leading Women

WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet (Canada) started the event with a perfect 3/3, defeating WFM Jenny Qi, WIM Ann Lindsay Chumpitaz, and WCM Tori Porat before falling to Mikaelyan in Round 4. Her early performance ensures she remains among the top scorers in the field.

WIM Ann Lindsay Chumpitaz (Peru) also opened with three straight wins before being stopped by Heimann. Both players remain in the top 10 and continue to be strong contenders for top female and rating-category prizes.

Veterans and Young Talents Mixing It Up

The American Open once again showcases a fascinating mix of experience and youth:

  • GM James Tarjan, a legend of American chess, remains undefeated with 3/4 after drawing his last three games.
  • Young talents like Leo Q Wang, Ruhan Yogesh Vichare, and Miransh Vyas have delivered impressive upsets, including several wins against higher-rated opposition.
  • IM Saksham Rautela (India) has also begun well with 2.5/4, including an important draw against IM Bilych.

Tournament Structure and Stakes

The Championship Section’s 9-round format, with classical time control (G/90 + 30 seconds increment), makes it a grueling but rewarding battleground. With norm possibilities and strong prize incentives—plus the prestige of winning one of the oldest and most respected American tournaments—the competition has intensified with each round.

Sections below Championship, including Expert, A, B, C, and Under-1400, are also well underway in both 3-day and 4-day schedules, merging from Round 5 onward. All sections feature guaranteed prizes and strict rating eligibility rules, maintaining fairness and competition integrity.

What Comes Next

Round 5 will feature major clashes on the top boards, including Mikaelyan facing one of the chasing 3.5-pointers. With five rounds still to play, the field remains wide open, but Mikaelyan’s form makes him the clear favorite heading into the tournament’s midpoint.

As the American Open continues, chess fans can expect sharper battles, more upsets, and possibly a title-norm chase as the tension builds toward Sunday’s decisive Round 9.

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