New Champions Crowned in U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s National Championships in Saint Louis

SAINT LOUIS, Mo. (July 24, 2026) – America’s top rising stars and veteran competitors converged at the Saint Louis Chess Club for the 2026 U.S. Junior Championship, U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship, U.S. Senior Championship and for the first time in Saint Louis, U.S. Senior Women’s Championships. Held July 13–24, the invitation-only national championships featured the nation’s best junior and senior players competing for four national titles and a combined prize fund of $285,000.

Grandmaster (GM) Andy Woodward and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Zoey Tang each successfully defended their national titles, capturing back-to-back U.S. Junior and U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship crowns, respectively. Meanwhile, GM Vladimir Akopian emerged from a playoff to win the U.S. Senior Championship, while WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia claimed the U.S. Senior Women’s Championship.

“Congratulations to all four of our champions on an outstanding achievement,” said GM Yasser Seirawan, chief commentator and spokesperson for the Saint Louis Chess Club. “These championships showcased an extraordinary level of talent, determination and fighting spirit from every competitor. The future of American chess is exceptionally bright, and it has been a privilege to watch these young players and veterans compete at such a high level.”

Andy Woodward Clinches Back to Back U.S. Junior Championship Wins

For the second consecutive year, GM Andy Woodward, 16, of McKinney, Texas, captured the 2026 U.S. Junior Championship and $23,000 with a mature, undefeated performance, finishing clear first in a fiercely contested field. His consistent play throughout the tournament further cemented his status as one of America’s most promising young talents. With his win, he also has qualified to compete in the 2026 U.S. Championship. 

“I’m really happy with the result. This was probably one of the toughest tournaments I’ve played in a long time. My opponents were playing really well, and I was lucky that it went my way. To come through a field like this makes the victory even more special.”

Close on Woodward’s heels throughout the tournament were GM Abhimanyu Mishra, 17, of Englishtown, N.J., and IM Tanitoluwa Adewumi, 15, of New York, who tied for second place. Each finished with a strong performance to earn $11,000.

* Includes Winner’s Bonus

Zoey Tang Defends Her Title to Win U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship

WGM Zoey Tang, 18, of Portland, Ore., successfully defended her title at the 2026 U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship, becoming a back-to-back national champion. After capturing the title in 2025, Tang once again finished atop the field with an undefeated performance, continuing her strong run in American chess. Her victory also earned her a spot in the U.S. Women’s Championship.

“It feels amazing to win this championship again,” Tang said. “Winning it the first time was a dream I’ve had since I was a child, so to come back and do it again this year is really special. My game against Rachael was a huge one—I knew it was a crucial game to win. To win this title a second time gives me confidence and proves to myself that I deserve to be here. I’m also so grateful to all of my friends and family. It’s been amazing knowing so many people have been cheering me on throughout the tournament.”

Behind Tang, Woman International Master Rachael Li, 16, of Plano, Texas, WGM Rochelle Wu, 20, of Azusa, Calif., and FIDE Master (FM) Jasmine Su, 15, of Darien, Conn., tied for second place, with each earning $6,583.

* Includes Winner’s Bonus

Vladimir Akopian Wins U.S. Senior Championship

GM Vladimir Akopian, of Glendale, Calif., claimed the 2026 U.S. Senior Championship after prevailing over GM Alexander Onischuk, of Lubbock, Texas, in a dramatic playoff. Akopian earned $26,000 for the victory, while Onischuk took home $21,000. GMs Alexander Shabalov, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Alexander Fishbein, of Spring Hill, Tenn., shared third place, earning $11,250 each.

“I expected a tough playoff against Alex,” Akopian said. “I was exhausted after yesterday’s game and didn’t have much energy to prepare. I found myself in trouble in both games, so I’m very grateful to come away with the title.”

* Includes Winner’s Bonus

Anjelina Belakovskaia Wins Second U.S. Senior Women’s Championship

WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia captured the U.S. Senior Women’s Championship after leading the tournament for most of the event and delivering a steady, consistent performance from start to finish. The victory marks her second U.S. Women’s Senior Championship title, following her inaugural championship win in 2023. A three-time U.S. Women’s Champion (1995, 1996 and 1999), Belakovskaia earned the title and the $17,750 first-place prize with another championship-caliber performance.

“It feels great,” said Belakovskaia. “I wish I had won it last year, but it just didn’t happen. Coming back this year and earning the title outright makes this victory especially meaningful.”

WFM Natalia Tsodikova, of Danville, Calif., finished second and earned $10,000. WFM Chouchanik Airapetian, of Mercer Island, Wash., placed third, receiving $7,500.

Next up for the Saint Louis Chess Club are the final regular season events of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour, the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, taking place July 31-Aug.7 and Sinquefield Cup Aug. 8-21, before the tour reaches its dramatic conclusion with the Grand Chess Tour Finals, Aug. 21–28. In addition, the Cairns Cup will take place Aug. 8-21.

Fans can catch the live action, player interviews and event commentary by visiting the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels.

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About the Saint Louis Chess Club
The Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making chess a vital part of the community and advancing Saint Louis’s reputation as the nation’s premier chess destination—the U.S. Chess Capital. In addition to hosting world-class tournaments and providing a welcoming space for casual and competitive play, the Club offers a robust slate of educational programming, including beginner lessons, chess improvement classes, lectures, and special events for players of all ages and skill levels.

Recognizing the cognitive, academic, and social benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is deeply committed to scholastic education. The Club supports existing chess programs in area schools while actively developing new in-school and after-school initiatives that introduce students to the game and help young players thrive both on and off the board. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.