Title: Grandmaster
Player Rating: 2738
United States of America

Biography

Cuban American Leinier Dominguez has represented the United States since 2018 and has ranked among the world elite for two decades. Currently number 15 in the world, Dominguez has a peak FIDE rating of 2768. Notably, he was number eight in the world on the January 2024 FIDE rating list.

Dominguez’s International Career Highlights

Dominguez was five times the champion of his native Cuba, earning the title in 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, and 2016. He also represented his homeland in Chess Olympiads from 2000 to 2016. In the latter, he won an individual silver medal on board one.

In addition, he has won many important competitions throughout his career. These include the 2013 FIDE Grand Prix event in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he finished ahead of Fabiano Caruana, Veselin Topalov, and Alexander Grischuk. Dominguez also reached the quarterfinals of the 2004 World Championship. More recently, he finished second in both the 2021 and 2023 Sinquefield Cups. Notably, his 2023 result came despite being a last-minute replacement for Ding Liren.

Dominguez’s U.S. Championship Record

Dominguez brings consistency and meticulous preparation to every tournament. He has demonstrated these qualities throughout his U.S. Championship performances. He competed in every event between 2019 and 2024 and never finished lower than fourth. Furthermore, he placed second on several occasions. Remarkably, between 2019 and 2023 he never lost a single game in a U.S. Championship. The one exception was 2020, when the event took place online.

Dominguez in Rapid and Blitz Chess

Leinier also excels at faster time controls. Most notably, he won the 2008 World Blitz Championship. Moreover, he has reached as high as third on the FIDE Rapid rating list, with a peak rating of 2826. Currently, he ranks number 15 in the world in classical chess as well.

Dominguez at the American Cup

Dominguez has played well in the American Cup in previous years, placing in the top four on several occasions. However, one question mark going into the 2026 event is his form. He has not played a classical chess event in a year, although he has competed in many blitz, rapid, and freestyle events. Will he be rusty, hungry to play, or a little of both?