American GM Wesley So commented on his victory at the American Cup 2026. So expressed joy at winning an A-Tier tournament, and noted that runner-up Levon Aronian had been bitten by a dog shortly before the event.

Wesley So

Wesley So

American GM

“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s not often I win big tournaments! So it’s really incredible.

By the way, after the game, Levon told me that he hadn’t been playing very well in the last few games either. So, he was happy with second place. I think he was still a little sick — he’d recently been bitten by a dog.”

The American Cup 2026 took place in the Saint Louis Chess Club in St. Louis, United States from March 3 to 11. American GM Wesley So (2753) scored 1 win and 1 draw, defeating American GM Levon Aronian (2729) in the Grand Final with a score of 1.5-0.5.

Credit: Lennart Ootes