2012 U.S. Championships News

The American Cup Returns to Saint Louis March 17-26, 2023

16 Chess Players Will Compete in a Double-Elimination

 Knockout for $300,000 in Prizes 

SAINT LOUIS, Feb 21 2023 - America’s best chess players will return to the Saint Louis Chess Club to battle over the board from March 17- 26, 2023 for the second annual American Cup. With $300,000 in prize money up for grabs, the competitors will prove their mettle under mounting pressure in this double-elimination knockout tournament. This format promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats as they follow their favorites to victory. 

“We are thrilled to once again welcome America’s best chess players to the Saint Louis Chess Club in Chess Capital USA,'' said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “This year’s event will be a fast-paced tournament that’s sure to keep fans entertained until the very last round.” 

The format will have two brackets composed of eight players each. The eight player field will compete against each other in knockout style. The double elimination format ensures a second shot at the top for any player who loses a match. 

Players will be seeded into The American Cup by rating, and the initial round will pair 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5. Players will play a 2-game classical match followed by rapid tiebreaks if needed. The winners advance in the Championship Bracket, while those who lose their match continue with rapid chess in the Elimination Bracket. Anyone who loses their match in the Elimination Bracket is then eliminated from the tournament. 

Open Field

Women’s Field

In addition to the main event, the Saint Louis Chess Club will host The American Cup Blitz on Sunday, March 26, a side event featuring eliminated players and titled players. 

The rounds will be streamed live daily from March 17 - 26 at 1:00 pm CT on uschesschamps.com with expert commentary featuring Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila along with International Master Jovanka Houska.

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.

 For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Buffington
(314) 277-3930
rbuffington@saintlouichessclub.org

For Immediate Release  

2022 U.S. Chess Champions: Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana and Woman Grandmaster Jennifer Yu Take Their Second Championship Titles
The Nation’s Most Elite Invitational Chess Tournaments Conclude at Saint Louis Chess Club with Worthy Champions

SAINT LOUIS (October 24, 2022) – Twenty eight of America’s best chess players gathered in Saint Louis, America’s Chess Capital, at the Saint Louis Chess Club for the 2022 U.S. & U.S. Women’s Chess Championships held from October 4 - October 20, 2022. 

Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana claimed the 2022 U.S. Chess Championship, his second national title after his draw in the final round against GM Levon Aronian, a first-time competitor in the U.S. Championship. Caruana earned the $60,000 top prize while GM Ray Robson finished second, earning $45,000.

“I want to extend my thanks to everyone who makes chess in Saint Louis and the United States possible,” said Caruana upon receiving his second U.S. Championship trophy. “I am humbled because I’ve been playing chess here for six years and have had the opportunity to see all my colleagues continue to grow and develop while also making chess in this country stronger is such an honor and a privilege.” 

20-year-old Woman Grandmaster Jennifer Yu was crowned 2022 U.S. Women’s Champion, her second title after defeating eight-time U.S. Women’s Champion GM Irina Krush in the playoff during an Armageddon tiebreak. Yu took home the $40,000 U.S. Women’s Championship first place prize while GM Irina Krush received the $30,000 second place prize. 

“I would like to thank everyone for making this year’s tournament such an amazing experience,” said Yu in her acceptance speech to the crowd. “Every round was definitely interesting and I would like to especially thank my co-champion Irina, for being such a great competitor it feels amazing to have won my second U.S. Women’s Championship title.”

“It is because of Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield’s contribution to chess and thanks to the Saint Louis Chess Club that we are pleased to announce the return of the U.S. Chess & U.S. Women’s Chess Championships for 2023,” said Randy Bauer, President of US Chess Federation.  “This year US Chess made Saint Louis our chess home as our office is now located here and we are hopeful that US Chess and the tournament will be permanent residents in Saint Louis.” 

The top five players in the 2022 U.S. Chess Championships, Fabiano Caruana, Ray Robson, Leinier Dominguez, Awonder Liang, and Wesley So will qualify for the World Cup. The top two in the 2022 U.S. Women’s Chess Championships, WGM Jennifer Yu and GM Irina Krush qualify for the Women’s World Cup. Some of these players named above will qualify for the World Cup in other ways, in which case those invitations will go to the next players in the 2022 U.S. Chess & U.S. Women’s Championships standings.

Read our daily round recaps on the 2022 U.S. Championships at www.uschesschamps.com or watch the tournament broadcast coverage on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube channel. 

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.

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