$400,000 in Prize Money Awarded During Double-Elimination Knockout Tournaments

SAINT LOUIS, March 25, 2025 – The 2025 American Cup further solidified 15-year-old International Master (IM) Alice Lee as a rising force in women’s chess, as she clinched her second American Cup victory. Grandmaster (GM) Hikaru Nakamura also secured his second title in the prestigious event.

“This year’s American Cup was incredible to watch—from innovative ideas over the board to high-stakes strategic battles, every player brought their best,” said Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “Alice’s achievement at such a young age is truly remarkable, and we’re excited for her future in chess.”

As one of the nation’s premier chess events, the American Cup featured a high-intensity double-elimination knockout format with a $400,000 prize fund. Organized by the Saint Louis Chess Club, the tournament took place from March 15-24, 2025, at the iconic World Chess Hall of Fame.

Alice Lee Wins Back-to-Back Titles in the Women’s Section
In commanding fashion, IM Alice Lee successfully defended her title, winning the 2025 American Cup for a second time running after defeating Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Tatev Abrahamyan 2-0 in the grand final playoff. For her efforts, Alice Lee won her second Women’s American Cup title and the Champions Bracket bonus, earning $49,000.

“After winning the Classical, I knew anything could happen in the Blitz,” said Lee. “I’ll probably get ice cream to celebrate and I’ll probably splurge by getting my Mom to buy my cat some new treats.”

Abrahamyan from Saint Louis, Mo. finished in second place, winning $30,000, while GM Irina Krush finished in third, taking home $20,000.

American Cup Women’s Field Final Standings

Hikaru Nakamura Claims Second American Cup Win
GM Hikaru Nakamura of Sunrise, FL, clinched his second American Cup title in the Open Division, taking home the $90,000 first prize—including a $15,000 bonus for winning the Champions Bracket.

“I tend to look at it as everything happens for a reason and it’s been a smooth tournament. It’s always good to get a win,” said Nakamura. “It’s always so great to see how far St. Louis has come and it’s going to be really exciting to play in the new Saint Louis Chess Club when it opens later this year.”

GM Fabiano Caruana finished as the runner-up, earning $55,000, while Saint Louis local GM Levon Aronian claimed third place with a $30,000 prize.

American Cup Open Field Final Standings

Additional Champions Crowned
GM Fabiano Caruana emerged as the dominant winner of the  2025 Champions Showdown: The Kings, a thrilling prelude to the American Cup. This high-stakes exhibition introduced an electrifying new format, challenging six of the nation’s top players in a daily triathlon of blitz, rapid, and semi-classical matches. Caruna took home a $51,625 check for his impressive performance, while GM Wesley So finished in second place, winning $45,875 and the Best Game Prize, beating Caruana in their Round 1 Semi-Classical game.

In addition, the final day of the event featured the American Cup Blitz, a tournament open to all American Cup participants as well as local competitors, including students from Saint Louis University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and Webster University. This fast-paced 9-round Swiss system event allowed talented players a chance to test their speed and tactical prowess against some of the best in the world, like GM Hikaru Nakamua, who took top honors at the event and won another $5,000 prize.

Chess fans can re-watch all the action on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube channel with expert commentary from Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila, along with WGM Katerina Nemcova.

Next up the Saint Louis Chess Club will host the 2025 Spring Chess Classic from April 21-29, 2025. Visit uschesschamps.com for more information.

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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 to Host Exciting Double-Elimination Tournament, Offering $400,000 in Prizes to Elite Competitors; Champions Showdown Serves as Event Prequel

SAINT LOUIS, March 3, 2025 – The 2025 American Cup hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club, set to take place at World Chess Hall of Fame March 15-24, promises to be a defining event in the world of chess. As one of the most prestigious tournaments in the United States, the American Cup brings together the top players from across the nation.

This year’s American Cup will feature elite grandmasters and rising chess stars, competing in a high-stakes double-elimination format that tests both classical and rapid chess skills. The field includes world No. 2 GM Fabiano Caruana and world No. 3 GM Hikaru Nakamura, along with standout competitors like IM Carissa Yip, who is relocating to Saint Louis to focus on her game, 15-year-old rising star IM Alice Lee, and GM Irina Krush, an eight-time U.S. Women’s Champion and two-time American Cup winner.

Yip’s plans to move to Saint Louis were inspired by the Cairns Chess Queens Award and the Saint Louis Chess Club’s commitment to supporting female chess players. She will become the highest-rated female chess player to call the US Chess Capital home. Yip shared: “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work more closely with the Saint Louis Chess Club, particularly in their support of women and girls in chess. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this possible, and I’m excited to pursue chess at the highest level in Saint Louis.”

With $400,000 in prize money on the line, players will battle under intense pressure, ensuring thrilling matchups and high-stakes drama that will keep chess fans worldwide on the edge of their seats.

“We’re excited to once again host the American Cup and bring together the nation’s finest chess players,” said Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “This year’s competition promises to be even more exciting, with an exceptional mix of seasoned grandmasters and rising stars. We’re looking forward to an action-packed tournament that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final move.”

2025 Open & Women’s Division Fields

OPEN FIELD

WOMEN’S FIELD

The rounds will be streamed daily on uschesschamps.com with expert commentary featuring Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila, along with Woman Grandmaster Katerina Nemcova.

The Kings Come to Town for 2025 Champions Showdown

In advance of the American Cup, the Saint Louis Chess Club will again also host the 2025 Champions Showdown: The Kings.

Taking place from March 4–6, The Kings is an exhibition event unveiling a dynamic new format, featuring six of the nation’s top chess players in a daily triathlon of blitz, rapid, and semi-classical matches.

Competing for a prize pool of $250,000, the payouts take an interesting approach – awarding $4,500 per blitz game, $9,000 per rapid game and $14,000 per semi-classical game. In addition, a $2,500 prize will be awarded to the most outstanding game, as decided by an appointed committee.

Featured players include GMs Levon Aronian, Fabiano Caruana, Leinier Dominguez, Hikaru Nakamura, Ray Robson, and Wesley So.