The United States chess team took a 5-3 lead over Uzbekistan after the first day of the WR Chess Rapid & Blitz Miami 2026 on July 27. The rapid portion featured four rounds with a 15+10 time control.
The United States secured victories in the first three rounds and split the fourth to finish ahead. GM Levon Aronian led the American side with 2.5 points out of three games.
GM Wesley So scored two wins that proved decisive in rounds one and two. GM Hikaru Nakamura and GM Fabiano Caruana added key draws and one win in the later rounds.
On the Uzbek side, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov posted the team's best result with three points from four games. GM Javokhir Sindarov also secured a notable victory in round two.
The event continues on July 28 with eight rounds of blitz chess scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. ET in Miami.