2012 U.S. Championships News
Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana Delivers Commanding Performance
to Win 2024 Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX in Saint Louis
SAINT LOUIS, November 1, 2024 - Following an impressive win the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship for the fourth time, Grandmaster (GM) Fabiano Caruana won the 2024 Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX after a brilliant performance, defeating a competitive field of top American players as well as legendary former World Champion Garry Kasparov to take home the $37,500 first place prize. Chess 9LX was hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club at the World Chess Hall of Fame October 28-30, 2024.
Caruana shared: “Going in, it was a race between Hikaru. Having form carry over from the Championships was important. I felt I played well, but did get lucky against Garry.”
GM Hikaru Nakamura finished in second place, earning $25,000 while GM Wesley So took third place and $20,000.
“The Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX is always a treat for our participants and fans watching around the world, especially with the top players from the United States competing alongside legendary former World Champion Garry Kasparov,” said Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “It’s always thrilling to see Fabiano in action, and this year, he’s added yet another impressive win to his already stellar resume.”
Final tournament results include:
|
POSITION |
PLAYER |
PRIZE MONEY |
|
1 |
GM Fabiano Caruana |
$37,500 |
|
2 |
GM Hikaru Nakamura |
$25,000 |
|
3 |
GM Wesley So |
$20,000 |
|
T-4 |
GM Garry Kasparov |
$12,500 |
|
T-4 |
GM Levon Aronian |
$12,500 |
|
T-4 |
GM Sam Sevian |
$12,500 |
|
7 |
GM Grigoriy Oparin |
$7,500 |
|
8 |
GM Sam Shankland |
$7,500 |
|
T-9 |
GM Leinier Dominguez |
$7,500 |
|
T-9 |
GM Ray Robson |
$7,500 |
Created by the Saint Louis Chess Club, Chess 9LX is an annual tournament played in Chess960 style (i.e. Fischer Random), a chess variant where the starting position of the pieces is randomized along the first rank. The tournament format is a 10-player round-robin, with a time control of 20 minutes per side plus a 5-second increment added every move.
Chess 9LX was preceded by Ultimate Moves, a fun and casual exhibition event featuring Saint Louis Chess Club Co-founder Rex Sinquefield and Mr. Monopoly–in town celebrating the launch of the Saint Louis Monopoly board game, which includes a World Chess Hall of Fame property– who teamed up with legendary World Champion Garry Kasparov and the Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX field. Team Mr. Monopoly emerged as the winners, beating Team Rex 6-3 in the match.
Full event coverage including commentary from GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Maurice Ashely and International Master (IM) Nazí Paikidze can be found on Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels or on uschesschamps.com. Saint Louis Monopoly is available for purchase now through the Saint Louis Chess Campus online gift shop, Q Boutique.
The Club’s next event, the Saint Louis Masters, will be held December 3-8, 2024. More information will be available soon at www.uschesschamps.com.
###
About the Saint Louis Chess Club
The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.
Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.
SAINT LOUIS (October 25, 2024) Grandmaster (GM) Fabiano Caruana and International Master (IM) Carissa Yip took top honors out of a field of elite American chess players in the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship and 2024 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, respectively.
Organized by the Saint Louis Chess Club and hosted at the World Chess Hall of Fame October 11-23, the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship events featured 24 of the top chess players who competed for a purse of more than $400,000 in America’s chess capital.
“This year’s U.S. Championships showcased some of the finest displays of strategy we’ve seen, with incredible matches between the best chess players from across the country,” Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “Watching champions like Fabiano and Carissa perform well is always inspiring.”
U.S. Chess Championship Final Results
In impressive fashion, GM Fabiano Caruana claimed the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship title and a $62,000 prize, marking his fourth national title. There was a six-way tie for second between GMs Ray Robson, Awonder Liang, Leinier Dominguez, Sam Sevian, Levon Aronian and Hans Niemann. Each player won $24,667.
“This is one of my favorite tournaments to play,” said Caruana. “No way I’ll ever reach Fischer’s record, but five is realistic. I’ll try for that goal next year but there is a lot that comes before that.”
2024 U.S. Chess Championship Final Results
| Position | Player | Prize | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | GM Fabiano Caruana | $62,000 | Saint Louis, MO |
| 2nd-7th | GM Ray Robson | $24,667 | Saint Louis, MO |
| 2nd-7th | GM Awonder Liang | $24,667 | Madison, WI |
| 2nd-7th | GM Leinier Dominguez | $24,667 | Saint Louis, MO |
| 2nd-7th | GM Sam Sevian | $24,667 | Holden, MA |
| 2nd-7th | GM Levon Aronian | $24,667 | Saint Louis, MO |
| 2nd-7th | GM Hans Niemann | $24,667 | Weston, CT |
| 8th | GM Wesley So | $10,000 | Excelsior, MN |
| 9th | GM Sam Shankland | $9,000 | Orinda, CA |
| 10th | GM Grigoriy Oparin | $8,000 | Columbia, MO |
| 11th | GM Abhimanyu Mishra | $7,000 | Englishtown, NJ |
U.S. Women’s Chess Championship Final Results
In the Women’s division, 21-year old IM Carissa Yip dominated the field, scoring eight straight victories and securing her third U.S. Women’s Championship title with a round to spare. IM Begim Tokhirjonova finished in second place, earning $30,000.
“I am happy with the tournament,” said Yip. “It was a solid end to the tournament, and a friend (Alice Lee) and I are getting ice cream, so what can be wrong with the world?”
2024 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship Final Results
| Position | Player | Prize Money | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | IM Carissa Yip | $40,000 | Andover, MN |
| 2nd | IM Begim Tokhirjonova | $30,000 | Saint Louis, MO |
| 3rd | IM Alice Lee | $20,000 | North Oaks, MN |
| 4th | FM Megan Lee | $13,000 | Bellevue, WA |
| 5th-7th | GM Irina Krush | $8,000 | Brooklyn, NY |
| 5th-7th | WGM Jennifer Yu | $8,000 | Ashburn, VA |
| 5th-7th | WGM Thalia Cervantes | $8,000 | Saint Louis, MO |
| 8th-9th | IM Anna Zatonskih | $5,750 | Bochum, Germany |
| 8th-9th | WGM Tatev Abrahamyan | $5,750 | Saint Louis, MO |
| 10th | WGM Atousa Pourkashiyan | $5,000 | Sunrise, FL |
| 11th-12th | IM Nazi Paikidze | $4,250 | Las Vegas, NV |
| 11th-12th | FM Rose Atwell | $4,250 | Valencia, CA |
In addition, the top five finishers in the open division and the top two finishers in the women’s field have all qualified for the FIDE World Cup 2025.
Recaps and full tournament coverage of the 2024 U.S. Championships are available at uschesschamps.com or on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube channel.
2024 Champions Showdown: Chess9LX
Next up, the 2024 Champions Showdown: Chess9LX returns October 27-30, featuring top players from the United States and legendary former World Champion Garry Kasparov, competing for a $150,000 prize fund. The field will include GMs Garry Kasparov, Levon Aronian, Fabiano Caruana, Leinier Dominguez, Hikaru Nakamura, Grigoriy Oparin, Ray Robson, Sam Sevian, Sam Shankland, and Wesley So.
The event will kick off with Ultimate Moves, an exhibition featuring Saint Louis Chess Club co-founder Rex Sinquefield, Garry Kasparov, and other participants. Mr. Monopoly will join the event, celebrating the launch of Saint Louis Monopoly, which includes a World Chess Hall of Fame property square and can be purchased at qbouitquestl.com.
Tune in for live commentary from GMs Yasser Seirawan, Maurice Ashley, and IM Nazi Paikidze on the Saint Louis Chess Club's Twitch and YouTube channels.
America’s Top Chess Players to Compete for More Than $400,000 in 2024 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Chess Championship
Saint Louis to Host National Championships, Hall of Fame Inductions, and Inaugural Educational Conference
SAINT LOUIS (September 19, 2024)—The nation’s top chess players are set to compete in America’s most prestigious events—the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship and the 2024 U.S. Women’s Chess Championship. Hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC) at the World Chess Hall of Fame, each field will feature 12 players facing off over the board October 11-24 as they compete for a total purse of more than $400,000. This year also celebrates the 10th anniversary of Saint Louis’ Congressional proclamation as the Chess Capital of America.
"The U.S. Championship and U.S. Women's Championship are a testament to the incredible depth and talent of American chess - featuring nearly all of our country’s top players, including six graduates of the Kasparov Chess Foundation’s Young Stars program," said Tony Rich, Technical Director of the STLCC. "It’s a privilege to watch the best players in the country battle it out, showcasing the sportsmanship and camaraderie that make our community so special."
About the U.S. Championship
The U.S. Championship shifted from match play to a tournament format in 1936, paving the way for a new era in American chess. Past champions include luminaries of the game, including Bobby Fischer, Yasser Seirawan, and Hikaru Nakamura. The STLCC hosted its first U.S. Championship in 2009 and has been honored to organize each edition since, awarding nearly $3 million in prizes and elevating the national championships.
The U.S. Championship is a tournament open to all players based on rating and represents the very best talent in the United States. With just 12 players, the U.S. Championship is the pinnacle of American chess. This year’s event features a dynamic field, including defending champion and World No. 3 GM Fabiano Caruana, who has won the event three times, as well as GM Wesley So, a three-time champion.
2024 U.S. Chess Championship Field
| No. | Title | First Name | Last Name | Location | Invitational Rating* | Qualification Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM | Fabiano | Caruana | Saint Louis, MO | 2840 | 2023 US Champion |
| 2 | GM | Wesley | So | Excelsior, MN | 2796 | Rating |
| 3 | GM | Leinier | Dominguez | Saint Louis, MO | 2785 | Rating |
| 4 | GM | Levon | Aronian | Saint Louis, MO | 2771 | Rating |
| 5 | GM | Ray | Robson | Saint Louis, MO | 2740 | Rating |
| 6 | GM | Hans | Niemann | Weston, CT | 2735 | Rating |
| 7 | GM | Sam | Sevian | Holden, MA | 2729 | Rating |
| 8 | GM | Sam | Shankland | Orinda, CA | 2728 | Rating |
| 9 | GM | Grigoriy | Oparin | Columbia, MO | 2702 | Rating |
| 10 | GM | Awonder | Liang | Madison, WI | 2690 | 2024 US Open Champion |
| 11 | GM | Abhimanyu | Mishra | Englishtown, NJ | 2663 | Wildcard |
| 12 | GM | Christopher | Yoo | Dublin, CA | 2648 | 2024 US Junior Champion |
*Invitational ratings are calculated based on the July US Chess rating supplement
About the U.S. Women’s Championship
The U.S. Women’s Championship is the premier event in America featuring the very best women and girls of chess. Since its first U.S. Women’s Championship in 2009, the STLCC has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to U.S. Women’s Championship competitors. This year’s event features America’s brightest female chess players, including GM Irina Krush, an eight-time U.S. Women's Champion and two-time Women's American Cup Champion, defending champion IM Carissa Yip, and rising star IM Alice Lee, the youngest in the field at just 14 years old.
2024 U.S. Women's Chess Championship Field
| No. | Title | First Name | Last Name | Location | Invitational Rating* | Qualification Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM | Irina | Krush | Brooklyn, NY | 2458 | Rating |
| 2 | IM | Carissa | Yip | Andover, MA | 2450 | 2023 US Women's Champion |
| 3 | WGM | Begim | Tokhirjonova | Saint Louis, MO | 2436 | Rating |
| 4 | IM | Alice | Lee | North Oaks, MN | 2417 | 2024 US Girls Champion |
| 5 | IM | Anna | Zatonskih | Bochum, Germany | 2368 | Rating |
| 6 | IM | Nazi | Paikidze | Las Vegas, NV | 2364 | Rating |
| 7 | WGM | Tatev | Abrahamyan | Saint Louis, MO | 2352 | Rating |
| 8 | WGW | Atousa | Pourkashiyan | Sunrise, FL | 2339 | Rating |
| 9 | FM | Megan | Lee | Bellevue, WA | 2335 | Rating |
| 10 | WGM | Jennifer | Yu | Ashburn, VA | 2325 | Rating |
| 11 | WGM | Thalia | Cervantes | Saint Louis, MO | 2320 | Rating |
| 12 | FM | Rose | Atwell | Valencia, CA | 2311 | Wildcard |
*Invitational ratings are calculated based on the July US Chess rating supplement
How to Watch the U.S. and U.S. Women’s Championships
The 2024 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship will consist of 11 rounds of classical chess in a round-robin format and will be streamed live daily at 1:20 p.m. CDT. Coverage will feature play-by-play and analysis from the world-renowned commentary team of GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Cristian Chirila, and WGM Katerina Nemcova. Fans can follow all of the action live on uschesschamps.com and the STLCC’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels.
Visit uschesschamps.com for additional event information and click here to purchase tickets to the opening ceremony and here for the closing ceremony.
Chess Legends to be Inducted into U.S. and World Chess Halls of Fame
The month-long chess festivities will kick off on October 10 with the public opening ceremony for the 2024 U.S. Championships and the induction ceremony for the 2024 U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, which will honor Charles Henry Stanley (1819–1901).
Each year, candidates for induction to the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame are nominated by the US Chess Recognitions Committee, which includes leading chess historians. The Committee’s selections are sent to the US Chess Executive Board for review, and the Board's recommendations are then forwarded to the U.S. Chess Trust, whose Trustees have the official authority to determine inductees into the US Chess Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame or at the annual US Chess Awards luncheon. A representative of the US Chess Trust performs the official induction, using the official Hall of Fame gavel.
In addition, the World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs or FIDE) will honor Nana Alexandria (1949-), Chen Zhu (1976-), Robert Hübner (1948-), Vladimir Kramnik (1975-), Irina Levitina (1954-), Elena Donaldson-Akhmilovskaya (1957-2012), Efim Geller (1925-1998), Fridrik Olafsson (1935-), Oscar Panno (1935-) and Lev Polugaevsky (1934-1995) as inductees into the World Chess Hall of Fame on October 29. Representatives of the World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs, or FIDE) nominate and select new candidates for induction into the World Chess Hall of Fame. Members of the World Chess Hall of Fame are chosen for their total contribution to the sport. Players as well as others who have made an impact as authors, journalists, organizers and in other ways, are eligible for induction.
Saint Louis Chess Conference to Feature Renowned Chess Experts
In addition to exciting tournament play and honoring legends for their contributions to the sport, the STLCC will proudly host the inaugural Saint Louis Chess Conference, a new educational chess event that will bring together leading voices in the community including Garry Kasparov, legendary world champion and founder of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, Judit Polgár, the strongest female chess player of all time, and Maurice Ashley, the first African American in chess history to earn the Grandmaster title. Taking place October 24-26, the event will offer innovative programming designed for chess educators, researchers and enthusiasts to learn best practices, explore the latest research and celebrate the game of chess
“In collaboration with US Chess and Kasparov Chess Foundation, we are proud to bring together chess thought leaders for dynamic discussions and learning opportunities centered around education, research and the broader impact our beloved sport has on individuals and communities,” said Professor Michael Podgursky, Saint Louis Chess Club Board Member and Conference Chair.
To learn more about the event, visit stlchessconference.org.
SAINT LOUIS, Mo., July 29, 2024 – Out of a field of the nation’s top chess players, International Master (IM) Alice Lee was named champion in the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, Grandmaster (GM) Christopher Yoo won the U.S. Junior Championship, and GM Vladimir Akopian secured victory in the U.S. Senior Championship with a round to spare.
The U.S. Girls’ Junior, U.S. Junior, and U.S. Senior Championships have been mainstay events at the Saint Louis Chess Club. All three tournaments ran concurrently from July 16-25 and featured the top 10 chess players across three divisions, who competed for more than $135,000 in prizes and an additional $20,000 in scholarships.
“The caliber of talent we saw among these young players indicates that American chess continues to grow and thrive,” said Tony Rich, Technical Director at the Saint Louis Chess Club. “It was also thrilling to see these icons of American chess in action over the board again and we look forward to continuing to host the nation’s best here in Saint Louis once again next year.”
IM Alice Lee Clinches U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship
Defending champion, fourteen-year-old Alice Lee of North Oaks, Minn., took top honors in the U.S. Girls’ Junior division. Lee has already set several American chess records, becoming a National Master (NM) at 10, a Woman International Master (WIM) at 12, and recently becoming the youngest American female IM. Her thrilling comeback performance earned her a $6,000 cash prize, a $10,000 scholarship to the university of her choice, and a seat to compete in the U.S. Women’s Championship this fall. The scholarship is a jointly-funded effort from Dewain Barber and US Chess.
FIDE Master (FM) Rose Atwell, 14, of Valencia, Calif., finished in second place and received a check for $4,000, followed by WIM Iris Mou, 14, of New York, N.Y., who won $3,000 for third place.
U.S. Girls' Junior Championship Final Results
| PLACE | PLAYER & AGE | LOCATION | PRIZE MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IM Alice Lee, 14 | North Oaks, Minn. | $6,000 |
| 2 | FM Rose Atwell, 14 | Valencia, Calif. | $4,000 |
| 3 | WIM Iris Mou, 14 | New York, N.Y. | $3,000 |
| T-4 | NM Jasmine Su, 13 | Darian, Conn. | $1,750 |
| T-4 | WFM Yassamin Ehsani, 19 | New York, N.Y. | $1,750 |
| 6 | WFM Rachael Li, 13 | Plano, Texas | $1,200 |
| T-7 | FM Zoey Tang, 15 | Portland, Ore. | $900 |
| T-7 | WFM Megan Paragua, 11 | Elmhurst, N.Y. | $900 |
| 9 | WIM Omya Vidyarthi, 13 | Campbell, Calif. | $600 |
| 10 | WFM Chloe Gaw, 14 | New York, N.Y. | $500 |
Seventeen Year Old GM Christopher Yoo Wins U.S. Junior Championship
Seventeen-year-old GM Christopher Yoo from Dublin, Calif., bested a field of new and returning young prodigies to take home first place, a check for $12,000, and earned a ticket to compete in this year’s U.S. Championship. He also received a $10,000 scholarship to the university of his choice, thanks to the generosity of Dewain Barber and US Chess.
IM Justin Wang, 18, of Katy, Texas, finished in second, winning $8,000, while GM Andrew Hong, 18, of Saratoga, Calif., and IM Jason Wang, 17, of Mason, OH, tied for third place, each earning $4,500.
U.S. Junior Championship Final Results
| PLACE | PLAYER | LOCATION | PRIZE MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM Christopher Yoo, 17 | Dublin, Calif. | $12,000 |
| 2 | IM Justin Wang, 18 | Katy, Texas | $8,000 |
| T-3 | GM Andrew Hong, 18 | Saratoga, Calif. | $4,500 |
| T-3 | IM Jason Wang, 17 | Mason, OH | $4,500 |
| T-5 | IM Andy Woodward, 14 | McKinney, Texas | $2,750 |
| T-5 | IM Brewington Hardaway, 14 | Bronx, N.Y. | $2,750 |
| 7 | GM Balaji Daggupati, 18 | San Ramon, Calif. | $2,000 |
| 8 | IM Jason Liang, 16 | Potsdam, N.Y. | $1,500 |
| 9 | GM Arthur Guo, 17 | Alpharetta, Ga. | $1,000 |
| 10 | NM Nicholas Ladan, 19 | Chicago, Ill. | $1,000 |
GM Vladimir Akopian Wins U.S. Senior Championship
In the U.S. Senior division, GM Vladimir Akopian was crowned champion, winning an impressive $20,000 and his first U.S. national title among a field of legendary players and hall of famers.
GM Jesse Kraai of Baltimore, MD, took second place, earning a check for $13,000, while GMs Larry Christiansen of Cambridge, Mass., and Joel Benjamin of Waldwick, N.J., tied for third, each earning $9,000.
U.S. Senior Championship Final Results
| PLACE | PLAYER | LOCATION | PRIZE MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM Vladimir Akopian | Glendale, Calif. | $20,000 |
| 2 | GM Jesse Kraai | Baltimore, Md. | $13,000 |
| T-3 | GM Larry Christiansen | Cambridge, Mass. | $9,000 |
| T-3 | GM Joel Benjamin | Waldwick, N.J. | $9,000 |
| 5 | GM Julio Becerra | Miami, Fla. | $5,000 |
| T-6 | GM Gregory Kaidanov | Lexington, Ky. | $4,500 |
| T-6 | GM Melikset Khachiyan | Glendale, Calif. | $4,500 |
| T-8 | GM Igor Novikov | Lexington, Ky. | $3,500 |
| T-8 | GM Alexander Shabalov | Pittsburgh, Pa. | $3,500 |
| 10 | IM Douglas Root | Denton, Texas | $3,000 |
If you missed the games live, you can rewatch the action by visiting the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels. For additional information on the events, visit uschesschamps.com.
Next up will be the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, taking place August 12-16 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Tune in for live coverage on GrandChessTour.org and on the Saint Louis Chess Club's YouTube and Twitch channels.
Saint Louis Chess Club to host prestigious tournaments featuring top American chess talents across generations
SAINT LOUIS, July 3, 2024 - Top American junior and senior chess players will return to America’s Chess Capital in Saint Louis to compete in the 2024 U.S. Senior, Junior and Junior Girls’ Championships. Hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club at the World Chess Hall of Fame from July 16-26, the top 10 players across three divisions - juniors, junior girls, and seniors, will compete for more than $135,000 in prizes - the largest purse of all time for these events.
"We are excited to once again kick off this summer’s national championships by bringing together the top chess players from across the United States," said Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. "The U.S. Junior, U.S. Junior Girls’ and U.S. Senior Championships are one of our favorite trio of events we host because you can see a spectacular demonstration of chess from both proven legends of the sport and tomorrow’s superstars."
The three 10-player fields will tie together chess past and future for a celebration of the best of chess.
U.S. Junior Championship
The U.S. Junior Championship will feature a field of new and returning prodigies. Headlining players include 2022 U.S. Junior Champion Grandmaster (GM) Christopher Yoo, as well as teenage GMs Andrew Hong and Arthur Guo, and International Master (IM) Andy Woodward who at just 14 years of age has completed the requirements to become a GM and should have that title confirmed soon.
With five of the players currently ranked within the top 50 juniors in the world, this year's U.S. Junior Championship will feature some of the most talented and brightest young minds in the game.
Along with winning the title, players will be competing to win a piece of the more than $40,000 prize fund and the coveted invitation to the U.S. Championship later this year.
| Name | Qualification Method | Invitational Rating | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM Christopher Yoo (17 yo) | Rating | 2679 | Dublin, CA |
| GM Andrew Hong (19 yo) | Rating | 2642 | Saratoga, CA |
| GM Arthur Guo (17 yo) | 2023 Denker Champion | 2611 | Alpharetta, GA |
| IM Justin Wang (18 yo) | Rating | 2602 | Katy, TX |
| IM Andy Woodward (14 yo) | Rating | 2600 | McKinney, TX |
| GM Balaji Daggupati (18 yo) | Rating | 2576 | San Ramon, CA |
| IM Jason Wang (17 yo) | Rating | 2570 | Potsdam, NY |
| IM Jason Liang (16 yo) | Rating | 2563 | Potsdam, NY |
| IM Brewington Hardaway (14 yo) | Wildcard | 2524 | Bronx, NY |
| NM Nicholas Ladan (19 yo) | U.S. Junior Open Champion | 2327 | Chicago, IL |
U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship
The future of women’s chess in America is bright and will be on full display during the U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship.
This tournament features one of America’s most promising rising stars International Master (IM) Alice Lee, who is the youngest female player in American history to earn the title of IM and the returning U.S. Junior Girls’ Champion. Lee is expected to face tough competition in returning FIDE Masters (FMs) Zoey Tang and Rose Atwell, both ranked within the top 30 girls in the world, as well as young rising star, Woman's FIDE Master (WFM) Megan Paragua, who at 11 years old is the youngest player in this year's events.
Along with winning the title, players will be up for the chance to win a piece of the more than $20,000 prize fund and an invitation to the U.S. Women’s Championship to be held later this year.
| Name | Qualification Method | Invitational Rating | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| IM Alice Lee (14 yo) | 2023 U.S. Junior Girls’ Champion | 2435 | North Oaks, MN |
| FM Zoey Tang (15 yo) | Rating | 2358 | Portland, OR |
| WIM Iris Mou (14 yo) | Rating | 2314 | New York, NY |
| FM Rose Atwell (14 yo) | Rating | 2282 | Valencia, CA |
| WFM Rachael Li (13 yo) | Rating | 2288 | Plano, TX |
| NM Jasmine Su (13 yo) | Rating | 2241 | Darian, CT |
| WFM Yassamin Ehsani (19 yo) | Rating | 2227 | New York, NY |
| WFM Megan Paragua (11 yo) | Rating | 2203 | Elmhurst, NY |
| WIM Omya Vidyarthi (13 yo) | Rating | 2183 | Campbell, CA |
| WFM Chloe Gaw (14 yo) | Wildcard | 2159 | New York, NY |
U.S. Senior Championship
Created by the Saint Louis Chess Club six years ago, the U.S. Senior Championship will again be held alongside the country’s junior national chess championships, where they will compete for a $75,000 prize fund. The 2024 field boasts legendary chess players, including every winner of the tournament since its inception including GM Melik Khachiyan (2023), GM Alex Shabalov (2019, 2022), GM Gregory Kaidanov (2021) and GM Joel Benjamin (2020).
| Name | Qualification Method | Invitational Rating | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM Vladimir Akopian | Rating | 2628 | Glendale, CA |
| GM Gregory Kaidanov | Rating | 2592 | Lexington, KY |
| GM Larry Christiansen | Rating | 2585 | Cambridge, MA |
| GM Melik Khachiyan | 2023 U.S. Senior Champion | 2479 | Glendale, CA |
| GM Jesse Kraai | U.S. Senior Open Champion | 2419 | Berkeley, CA |
| GM Joel Benjamin | Rating | 2536 | Waldwick, NJ |
| GM Igor Novikov | Rating | 2531 | Lexington, KY |
| GM Alex Shabalov | Rating | 2502 | Pittsburgh, PA |
| IM Douglas Root | Rating | 2487 | Denton, TX |
| GM Julio Becerra | Wildcard | 2462 | Miami, FL |
The expert commentary team of GM’s Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila and IM Nazi Paikidze will call the action live and provide game analysis daily online starting at 1:20 p.m. CT on www.uschesschamps.com and on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels.
In addition, the tournament games on July 20 will be counted as part of a global Guiness World Record Attempt by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for the most chess games played in a 24-hour period. The world record attempt is being held in celebration of International Chess Day and FIDE’s 100th anniversary. For more information, visit 100.fide.com/gwr.
Top Female Chess Players to Compete in Cairns Cup in Saint Louis
Saint Louis Chess Club to host elite international players in tournament that offers one of the largest chess prize funds for women
SAINT LOUIS, June 7, 2024 - The Cairns Cup, an elite-level female chess tournament created by the Saint Louis Chess Club, returns this June and will feature ten of the world's best female chess players. Named in honor of Saint Louis Chess Club co-founder Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, the tournament reflects the Club’s mission to promote the game of chess among women.
As one of the premier women’s tournaments globally, the ten-player round robin tournament will be hosted at the World Chess Hall of Fame from June 12 to 23. This year’s event boasts one of the strongest female fields, competing for an increased total prize fund of $200,000.
The event kicks off on Wednesday, June 12 with the Ultimate Moves, a fun and casual exhibition event featuring 82-year-old Women’s World Chess Champion Nona Gaprindashvili from Georgia and the Cairns Cup field.
“We are proud to again organize an elite international chess tournament created to provide more opportunities for female chess players,” said Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, Co-founder of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “We hope by providing a world-class facility and a competitive prize fund, we will help inspire more women to play chess on a competitive level.”
The 2024 Cairns Cup field will feature:
| TITLE | NAME | FIDE RATING | FEDERATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM | Tan Zhongyi | 2540 | CHN |
| GM | Mariya Muzychuk | 2510 | UKR |
| GM | Nana Dzagnidze | 2506 | GEO |
| GM | Anna Muzychuk | 2505 | UKR |
| GM | Harika Dronavalli | 2503 | IND |
| GM | Alexandra Kosteniuk | 2501 | SUI |
| IM | Elisabeth Paehtz | 2457 | GER |
| GM | Irina Krush | 2415 | USA |
| IM | Alice Lee | 2368 | USA |
| IM | Anna Zatonskih | 2331 | USA |
“The Saint Louis Chess Club continues to innovate in promoting the game of chess,” said Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “Events like the Cairns Cup are crucial for the development of American women in chess. They provide a platform for our talented players to compete against the world's best, gaining invaluable experience and inspiration.”
Each round of the Cairns Cup will be streamed live daily from June 13 to 23 at 1 p.m. CT with the expert commentary team of Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan and International Masters Jovanka Houska and Nazi Paikidze.
In addition, Gaprindashvili will be an honored guest at the opening ceremony as part of her world chess tour. She will also host an all-girls simul event at the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF), where she will simultaneously play multiple games at a time, encouraging young girls along the way. Gaprindashvili will also appear at “Ladies Knight” on Thursday, June 13 at the World Chess Hall of Fame from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Gaprindashvili, a living chess legend, was the women's world chess champion from 1962 to 1978, and in 1978, she became the first woman ever to be awarded the International Chess Federation (FIDE) title of grandmaster. Gaprindashvili is also an inductee to the World Chess Hall of Fame.
The Cairns Cup will be hosted at the WCHOF, the leading chess cultural center in the country, where the all-new exhibition “Clash for the Crown: Celebrating Chess Champions," is currently on display.
The exhibition is being held in conjunction with the 100th-anniversary celebration of the FIDE and explores the histories of the World Chess Championship and Women’s World Chess Championship through a display of artifacts from the collection of the WCHOF, FIDE and loans and donations from world chess champions and women’s world chess champions including World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Susan Polgar, as well as private lenders.
For more information and to watch the livestream, visit uschesschamps.com.
About the Saint Louis Chess Club
The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.
Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.