Levon Aronian, a former world number two and one of the most creative and elegant players of his generation, has represented the United States since 2021 after a long and celebrated career as Armenia’s standard-bearer. His opponent, Leinier Dominguez Perez, is also a naturalised American and one of the most experienced grandmasters on the circuit, renowned for his unshakeable solidity. A duel between two adopted compatriots in a Sicilian Alapin carries a distinctly unique flavour.