Wesley So claimed his fourth U.S. championship title after a tense battle at the Saint Louis Chess Club. The 12-player open championship, held as a single round-robin with classical time controls, saw So and defending champion Fabiano Caruana share the lead early before So surged ahead. So's decisive victories in consecutive rounds appeared to seal his fate, but a final-round loss to Sam Sevian in a rook endgame forced a tiebreak. So and Caruana finished tied in the standings, setting up rapid and blitz games to determine the champion. So prevailed in the tiebreak by drawing the first rapid game and then converting his advantage with white pieces in the second rapid encounter.

Rachael Li became the youngest player ever to win the U.S. Women's Championship in her debut appearance. Li engaged in a thrilling race with Alice Lee, who had opened with four consecutive victories and appeared unstoppable. A crucial turning point came when Li defeated Lee playing black in a Queen's Indian Defense, drawing level in the standings. The pivotal ninth round saw Lee fall to another defeat while Li secured a grinding victory in a knight endgame.

Heading into the final round, Li held a one-point advantage over Lee. Li clinched the title with a comfortable draw against Anna Zatonskih, while Lee's win in her final game left her finishing half a point behind. Irina Krush completed the podium in third place. Both championships were held from October 9 to 22 and featured substantial prize funds supporting the nation's top chess talent.