2018 Saint Louis Invitational

Keaton Kiewra is a professional Chess Instructor.  He is an International Master with two Grandmaster norms. Kiewra grew up in Lincoln Nebraska where he was the Nebraska State Chess Champion for nine consecutive years.  He also won six National Scholastic Titles during that time.  Kiewra moved to Dallas in 2005 to attend UTD on a Chess Scholarship.  Since graduating in 2009, he has made his living as a full time Chess Instructor.  He moved to San Diego in 2013 and is the founder and manager of the San Diego Surfers team for the PRO Chess League.  Kiewra is very proud to have some extremely successful students who have won National Scholastic Titles, represented the U.S. at World Youth Championship events, and been consistently ranked toward the top of their age group nationally.

Arjun is an International Master originally from India. He has a string of accomplishments to his name include: becoming an International Master by 16 years of age, British Junior chess champion 2001 in Scarborough, United Kingdom, National G/60 Chess Champion of the United States, 2006; tieing for runner-up in the World Open (U2400), and won his second IM Norm, United States, June 2007, and becoming the champion in the First Saturday IM A Tournament. He won his final IM Norm from Budapest, Hungary in July 2007.

Vincent started his chess journey four and half years ago at the age of 9.  He fell in love with chess the moment he touched the chessboard and began to put his fighting spirit into the chessboard. He harvested National Master title in March 2017. He also represented the USA Chess Team and won the championship in 2017 at the World Cadet Chess Championship U12 held in Brazil.   In March 2018, Vincent won first place in 51st New York State Scholastic Championships held in Saratoga, New York and later represented New York State to the Barber tournament held in Wisconsin Madison. Vincent is currently working his way toward International Master.

Josiah Stearman is a FIDE Master who resides in Martinez, California. Josiah is a multiple time State Champion, and All-American designee.

Carissa Yip has been on a record-shattering pace ever since she started her first rated tournament at age 7.  At age 9, she became the youngest girl ever to reach the title of Expert. Two years later, she broke the record for youngest female to achieve the title of National Master at the age of 11 years, 5 months, and 18 days.  She is the current US Girls’ Junior Champion. She got one IM norm earlier this year and is seeking her second IM norm.

Williams, a student at Webster University, has already accomplished many impressive feats over the board.  He earned his IM and FM norms while still in High School and then went on to win the 2013 US Junior Open. He is currently rated 2335 FIDE.

Andrew Hong is a Candidate Master, achieving the title at the World Cadets 2016 U-12 Ch in 2016. CM Hong is currently competing in the under 14 category, and is ranked 2nd in the U.S. and Americas, and 8th in the world.