view all news, press, & insights Saint Louis Chess Club to Host Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX Table of contents August 30 2023 Invitational Recap News Press SAINT LOUIS, August 30, 2023 – Presented by the Saint Louis Chess Club, the highly anticipated 2023 Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX returns this September 8-10, 2023 at the World Chess Hall of Fame with another exciting line-up featuring a prize purse of $150,000. This year’s tournament features the top players from the United States, including World No. 3 and reigning World 960 Champion GM Hikaru Nakamura and World No. 2 GM Fabiano Caruana competing alongside legendary former World Champion Garry Kasparov. “As the epicenter of U.S. chess, we are proud to host another elite event featuring legendary World Champion Garry Kasparov and reigning Chess960 World Champion Hikaru Nakamura. Fans are sure to enjoy the fast-paced action and surprises that keep the world’s best players on their toes in this unique event,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. Chess 9LX is a tournament played in Chess 960 style, also known as Fischer Random Chess. Chess 960 is a variant of chess created by Bobby Fischer in the late 1990s in which the pieces on the home rank are randomized, with 960 representing the number of possible starting positions. Players will not know the order of the home rank pieces until just before the start of each round and will have to rely on their creativity in rapid and blitz games. Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX Field PlayerURS RatingGM Garry Kasparov2552GM Hikaru Nakamura2808GM Fabiano Caruana2789GM Wesley So2781GM Levon Aronian2771GM Leinier Dominguez2727GM Jeffery Xiong2700GM Ray Robson2691GM Sam Sevian2689GM Sam Shankland2685 *** Ratings as of August 2023 *** Games will start daily at 2:00 p.m. CDT (GMT-5) from September 8-10, 2023 for Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX. The tournament will include expert commentary featuring GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Cristian Chirila and IM Nazi Paikidze. Viewers can watch the action online at uschesschamps.com or on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s Youtube and Twitch.tv channels. Event festivities will kick-off on Thursday, September 7, 2023 with Ultimate Moves, a fun and casual exhibition event featuring Saint Louis Chess Club co-founder Rex Sinquefield teaming up with legendary World Champion Garry Kasparov and the Champions Showdown: Chess 9LX field. In tandem with the chess events, the World Chess Hall of Fame has two incredible exhibitions on view: “Sound Moves: Where Music Meets Chess” and “T. S. Eliot: A Game of Chess.” Both exhibitions showcase how the timeless game has had a powerful influence across music, literature and culture and will be on view through January 2024. For more information, visit www.uschesschamps.com or www.worldchesshof.org. 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. About the World Chess Hall of Fame The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building awareness of the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened on September 9, 2011, in the Central West End after moving from previous locations in New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami. Housed in a historic 15,900 square-foot residence-turned-business in Saint Louis’ Central West End neighborhood, the WCHOF features World Chess Hall of Fame inductees, United States Chess Hall of Fame inductees selected by the U.S. Chess Trust, artifacts from the permanent collection and exhibitions highlighting the great players, historic games and rich cultural history of chess. The WCHOF partners with the Saint Louis Chess Club to provide innovative programming and outreach to local, national and international audiences. For more information, visit worldchesshof.org and on social: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channels. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article Press World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights IM Elect Alice Lee, GM Abhimanyu Mishra and GM Melikset Khachiyan Crowned Winners in National Junior and Senior Championships in Saint Louis Table of contents July 27 2023 Invitational Recap News Press SAINT LOUIS (July 27, 2023) – All eyes were on Saint Louis as tournament play for the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior, U.S. Junior and U.S. Senior Championships hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club came to an exciting conclusion this week. Each event featured ten of the nation’s best junior and senior players competing for more than $150,000 in prizes and scholarships. “The caliber of talent we saw among these young players indicates that American chess continues to grow and thrive,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of 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.” 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 15-24, 2023. If you missed them live, you can rewatch the action by visiting the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels. IM Elect Alice Lee Clinches U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship Thirteen year old Alice Lee 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 at 12 and recently became the youngest American female International Master Elect. Her commanding performance earned her a $6,000 cash prize, $10,000 scholarship to the university of her choice and a seat to compete in the U.S. Women’s Championship this fall. “To be able to win this tournament means alot to me, especially in such a strong field,” said Lee. FM Ruiyang Yan finished in second place and received a check for $4,000, followed by IM Carissa Yip and FM Zoey Tang, who tied for third place, each winning $2,500. U.S. GIRLS’ JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTSPLACEPLAYERAGEPRIZE MONEY1IM Elect Alice Lee, 13North Oaks, MN$6,0002FM Ruiyang Yan, 16Mountain View, CA$4,000T-3IM Carissa Yip, 19Andover, MA$2,500T-3FM Zoey Tang, 15Portland, OR$2,5005WIM Iris Mou, 14New York, NY$1,5006WGM Rochelle Wu, 17Woodland, CA$1,2007WCM Shreya Mangalam, 20South Barrington, IL$1,000T-8NM Kelsey Liu, 14Wellesley, MA$700T-8WFM Gracy Prasanna, 17Nazareth, PA$70010NM Rose Atwell, 14Valencia, CA$500 Fourteen Year Old GM Abhimanyu Mishra Wins U.S. Junior Championship GM Mishra, the youngest player to become a Grandmaster in the history of the game at the age of 12, bested a field of new and returning young prodigies to take home first place, a check for $12,000 and earning a ticket to compete in this year’s upcoming U.S. Championship. He, too, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship to the university of his choice thanks to the generosity of Dewain Barber and US Chess. “The U.S. Junior Championship is a strong tournament and my main purpose was winning so I would be able to play against America’s best in the U.S. Championship later this year,” said Mishra. GM Brandon Jacobson, GM Andrew Hong, GM Balaji Daggupati and IM Arthur Guo shared a four-way tie for second place, each winning $5,000. U.S. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTSPLACEPLAYERLOCATIONPRIZE MONEY1GM Abhimanyu Mishra, 14Englishtown, NJ$12,000T-2GM Brandon Jacobson, 19Westfield, NJ$5,000T-2GM Andrew Hong, 18Saratoga, CA$5,000T-2GM Balaji Daggupati, 17San Ramon, CA$5,000T-2IM Arthur Guo, 16Alpharetta, GA$5,000T-6IM Justin Wang, 17Katy, TX$2,250T-6IM Kirk Ghazarian, 17Coto de Caza, CA$2,250T-8IM Jason Liang, 16Potsdam, NY$1,250T-8IM Josiah Stearman, 20Martinez, CA$1,25010FM Arthur Xu, 16Naperville, IL$1,000 GM Melikset Khachiyan Wins U.S. Senior Championship In the U.S. Senior division, wildcard player GM Melikset Khachiyan was crowned champion, winning an impressive $20,000 and bragging rights amidst a field of legendary players and hall of famers. “I’ve been able to help coach my students to win many championship titles, but I’d never won myself until now. This is my first national championship and it was a breakthrough tournament,” said Khachiyan. Last year’s winner GM Alexander Shabalov finished in second place and received a check for $13,000, followed by GM Vladimir Akopian in third place, winning $10,000. U.S. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTSPLACEPLAYERLOCATIONPRIZE MONEY1GM Melikset Khachiyan, 53Glendale, CA$20,0002GM Alexander Shabalov, 55Pittsburgh, PA$13,0003GM Vladimir Akopian, 51Glendale, CA$10,000T-4GM Gregory KaidanovLexington, KY$6,500T-4GM Maxim Dlugy, 57Albrightsville, PA$6,500T-6GM Patrick Wolff, 55San Francisco, CA$4,500T-6GM Joel Benjamin, 59Waldwick, NJ$4,500T-8GM Igor Novikov, 61Lexington, KY$3,333T-8IM Douglas Root, 60Denton, TX$3,333T-8GM Dmitry Gurevich, 66Chicago, IL$3,333 For more information, 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. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article Press World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights Saint Louis Chess Club to Host Legends and Rising Stars of American Chess Table of contents June 29 2023 News Press SAINT LOUIS – June 29, 2023 – Top American junior and senior chess players will return to Saint Louis for the 2023 U.S. Senior, Junior, and Girls’ Junior Championships hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club. From July 15-25, 2023, the top 10 players across three divisions – juniors, girls, and seniors, will travel to compete for more than $130,000 in prizes. “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, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “We’re proud to again host the future of chess with the U.S. Junior, U.S. Girls’ Junior and U.S. Senior Championships.” 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 last year’s U.S. Junior Champion GM Christopher Yoo, as well as GM Brandon Jacobson and GM Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest player to become a Grandmaster in the history of the game at the age of 12. With five of the players currently ranked within the top 50 juniors in the world, this year’s U.S. Junior Championship pits some of the most talented and brightest young minds in the game against each other. Along with winning the title, players will be competing to win a piece of the more than $20,000 prize fund and the coveted invitation to the U.S. Championship later this year. Thanks to the generosity of the Sue & Dewain Barber Foundation and US Chess, the winner of the U.S. Junior Championship will also be awarded a $10,000 scholarship to the university of their choice. 2023 U.S. Junior Championship FieldNameQualification Method Invitational RatingHometownGM Christopher Yoo2022 U.S. Junior Championship2692Dublin, CAGM Brandon JacobsonRating2643Westfield, NJGM Abhimanyu MishraRating2640Englishtown, NJIM Jason LiangRating2630Potsdam, NYGM Andrew HongRating2617Saratoga, CAGM Balaji DaggupatiRating2592San Ramon, CAIM Justin WangRating2577Katy, TXIM Arthur Guo2022 Denker Tournament of High School Champions2534Alpharetta, GAIM Josiah StearmanWildcard2478Martinez, CAFM Arthur Xu2022 U.S. Junior Open Championship2247Naperville, IL U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship The future of women’s chess in America is bright and will be on full display during the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. This tournament features a field of rising stars, including FM Alice Lee, who recently qualified for the international master title (pending FIDE approval) at just age 13, becoming the youngest female player in American history to earn the title. In addition, IM Carissa Yip headlines the field. Yip, a sophomore at Stanford, has already earned a place in chess history as she works toward becoming the seventh-youngest woman to reach grandmaster. Along with winning the title, players will be up for the chance to win a piece of the more than $10,000 prize fund and an invitation to the U.S. Women’s Championship to be held later this year. Additionally, the winner of the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship, jointly supported by US Chess and the Sue & Dewain Barber Foundation. 2023 U.S. Girls’ Championship FieldNameQualification Method Invitational RatingHometownIM Carissa YipRating2482Andover, MA FM Alice LeeRating2438North Oaks, MNFM Ruiyang Yan2022 Haring Tournament of Champions2357Mountain View, CAWGM Rochelle WuRating2353Woodland, CAFM Zoey TangRating2262Portland, ORWFM Iris MouRating2231New York, NYNM Kelsey LiuRating2209Wellesley, MAWFM Gracy PrasannaRating2206Nazareth, PANM Rose AtwellRating2197Valencia, CAWCM Shreyga MangalamWildcard2117South Barrington, IL U.S. Senior Championship The Saint Louis Chess Club created the U.S. Senior Champion five years ago, and for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. Senior Championship will be held alongside the country’s junior national chess championships, where they will compete for a $75,000 prize fund. The 2023 field boasts legendary chess players, including every winner of the tournament since its inception including GM Alex Shabalov (2019, 2022), GM Joel Benjamin (2020) and GM Gregory Kaidanov (2021). Many of the players are also U.S. Chess Hall of Fame inductees: Grandmasters Gregory Kaidanov, Joel Benjamin and Alex Shabalov. 2023 U.S. Senior Championship FieldNameQualification Method Invitational RatingHometownGM Vladimir AkopianRating2658Glendale, CAGM Gregory KaidanovRating2597Lexington, KYGM Igor NovikovRating2562Lexington, KYGM Patrick WolffRating2549San Francisco, CAGM Maxim DlugyRating2547Albrightsville, PAGM Alex Shabalov2022 U.S. Senior Champion2544Pittsburgh, PAGM Joel BenjaminRating2525Waldwick, NJ IM Douglas Root2022 Irwin Tournament of Champions2492Denton, TXGM Melikset KhachiyanWildcard2483Glendale, CA GM Dmitry Gurevich2022 U.S. Senior Open Champion2457Chicago, IL The expert commentary team of GM’s Yasser Seirawan, Katerina Nemcova and Cristian Chirila will call the action live. The team will be providing game analysis daily online starting at 1:20 p.m. CT. Fans can watch all the action live on www.uschesschamps.com and on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch.tv channels. Saint Louis Chess Club Celebrates 15th Anniversary During the tournament, the Saint Louis Chess Club will recognize its 15th Anniversary. Over the past 15 years, co-founders Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, alongside its staff and extended team, have impacted nearly every aspect of the game of chess. From establishing Saint Louis as the Chess Capital of the United States, to building the most elite tournament venue and hosting some of the most influential chess tournaments around the world, the Saint Louis Chess Club is among the leading chess organizations in the world. Outside of competitive chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is responsible for establishing extensive educational and scholastic programs – reaching over 80,000 students and spanning in-person, online after-school classes to help encourage participation in chess. In addition, the Saint Louis Chess Club first introduced the Chess Merit Badge in 2011. Since then, it has become one of the most popular badges in the Scouts BSA merit badge catalog, with more than 300,000 scouts earning their Chess Merit badge. The Saint Louis Chess Club designed workshops provide a dynamic program of learning and adventure that builds critical thinking, forward thinking, and proper sportsmanship in young people. Further, the organization has also pioneered innovative community outreach programs ranging from C.H.E.S.S. Cops, a program that works to build relationships between kids and police, to the Corporate Chess League that provides a venue for business professionals to join competitive leagues to help strengthen their focus, encourage strategic thinking and creativity. ### 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. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article Press World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights American Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan Named Chief Commentator and Spokesperson for Saint Louis Chess Club; Makes Saint Louis Permanent Residence Table of contents June 22 2023 News SAINT LOUIS, June 22, 2023 – The Saint Louis Chess Club today announced the appointment of Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan as its Chief Commentator and Spokesperson. Now a Saint Louis resident, Yasser joins twenty other grandmasters who call the city home, one of just a few cities in the world with as many grandmasters in residence. “Yasser is a prominent figure within the international chess community and we are thrilled for him to now call Saint Louis home as a full time ambassador of the Saint Louis Chess Club,” said Rex Sinquefield, co-founder of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “We look forward to working more closely with him to promote the game of chess and position Saint Louis as a global leader in chess advocacy.” Yasser is an American grandmaster, four-time U.S. champion, a former world championship candidate and an inductee to the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame. In 1979 he won the World Junior Championship, and eventually went on to qualify for the 1985 and 1988-1990 Candidates Tournaments. A long-time member of the U.S. national team, Seirawan won the individual gold medal at the 1994 Chess Olympiad. Seirawan is the author of several acclaimed chess books and has worked as a professional chess commentator for many years. “I’m thrilled and delighted to join the Saint Louis Chess Club to do what I do best…talk,” said Seirawan. “What’s happening in Saint Louis is simply chess magic, so to be part of the Sinquefield effect is truly a dream come true!” As the Saint Louis Chess Club continues to build a world class broadcast commentary team, Yasser joins as the chief commentator to lead all nationally and internationally-ranked tournaments including the U.S. Championship and Sinquefield Cup. Yasser will also play an instrumental role in helping advance the mission of the Saint Louis Chess Club and advocate for the continued resurgence of chess across the country. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org. 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. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article News Press World Champion Garry Kasparov Wins Clutch Chess: The LegendsDuring Grand Reopening of Saint Louis Chess Club Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights IM Anna Zatonskih Wins 2023 Cairns Cup Hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club, Takes Home $45,000 Top Prize Table of contents June 19 2023 News Press SAINT LOUIS, June 20, 2023 – With one round to spare, International Master (IM) Anna Zatonskih defied the odds to win the 2023 Cairns Cup. The four-time U.S. Women’s Champion called the win her best achievement of her chess career as she took the grand prize of $45,000, despite starting as the lowest-rated player in the field. Zatonskih also earned her first norm toward the Grandmaster (GM) title. “This is the best achievement in my chess career, I can’t believe it,” shared Zatonskih. “Thank you to everyone for supporting me, including my role models. You helped me prove age is just a number.” GM Alexandra Kosteniuk had an important win on the final day, securing the runners-up slot in the tournament. GM Bella Khotenashvili and GM Irina Krush tied for third place. “Electric is the best way to describe this year’s Cairns Cup. It was wonderful to welcome such an impressive group of players back to Saint Louis for this year’s tournament,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club.” Established in 2019, the Cairns Cup was established by the Saint Louis Chess Club to provide a competitive tournament for elite female players. Aptly named in honor of Saint Louis Chess Club co-founder Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield’s maiden name, the 2023 Cairns Cup featured a ten player field of top women from across the world who competed for a purse of $180,000 during the round robin style tournament held at the World Chess Hall of Fame from June 3-12, 2023. “It was an honor to host another incredible group of elite chess players during the Cairns Cup,” said Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, co-founder of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “We are on a mission to bring more girls and women into the sport of competitive chess. By hosting events like the Cairns Cup, we hope to provide a needed platform for women where they can compete against the best players in the world for significant prizes at a world class facility.” The initial field of ten was reduced to nine before the fifth round when GM Humpy Koneru withdrew from the tournament due to medical issues. The Cairns Cup final standings include: PLACENAMEFEDERATIONPRIZE MONEY1IM Anna ZatonskihUSA$45,0002GM Alexandra KosteniukCHE$35,000T-3GM Bella KhotenashviliGEO$22,500T-3GM Irina KrushUSA$22,5005GM Nana DzagnidzeGEO$15,000T-6GM Harika DronavalliIND$9,500T-6GM Elisabeth PaehtzDEU$9,5008IM Gunay MammadzadaAZE$8,0009GM Zhansaya AbdumalikKAZ$7,000 To rewatch all of the action from the 2023 Cairns Cup broadcast, visit the Saint Louis Chess Club YouTube playlist. ### 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. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article Press World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights 2023 Cairns Cup | PROMO Table of contents May 22 2023 News Press For the first time since 2020, the world’s best female chess players converge in America’s chess capital, Saint Louis, Mo., for the 3rd Cairns Cup. Watch live from June 3-13 as ten of the top women compete in a classical round robin at the World Chess Hall of Fame for a $180,000 prize fund. U.S. Chess Champs Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article Press World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights 2023 Major Tournaments in Saint Louis | PROMO Table of contents March 30 2023 News Press Chess in Saint Louis is back with 12 major tournaments in 2023! Learn the dates for the Summer and Winter Chess Classics, Chess 9LX, and the U.S. & U.S. Women’s Championships. USChessChamps.com Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article Press World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura and Grandmaster Irina Krush Win The Second Annual American Cup Table of contents March 28 2023 News Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura and Grandmaster Irina Krush Win The Second Annual American Cup $300,000 in Prize Money Awarded During Double-Elimination Knockout Tournaments SAINT LOUIS, March 28, 2023 – Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Irina Krush bested a field of elite chess players from across the United States to take top honors in the 2023 Open and Women’s American Cup tournaments, respectively. The double-elimination knockout tournament hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club at the World Chess Hall of Fame from March 17-26, 2023, featured a total prize fund of $300,000. “This year’s American Cup featured exciting chess play, stunning upsets and epic comebacks,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “It’s always exciting to see these incredible players compete and this year’s American Cup was no different. We congratulate Hikaru and Irina on their brilliant wins against a stellar field of competitors.” Open Section Final Standings Hikaru Nakamura pulled through to become the 2023 American Cup Champion after defeating Wesley So 2.5-1.5 in a difficult final Elimination Match, winning $60,000. The finale started out with three solid draws, but finished abruptly in the fourth game after a blunder by So who got his queen trapped inside Nakamura’s territory. So takes home $35,000 for his impressive performance during the tournament. “Frankly, I felt like it would come down to who won the first championship match. We are both so evenly matched. It was tough and either of us could have won, but I’m thankful to get the win,” said Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in his post-game interview. Place Name Prize Money 1 GM Hikaru Nakamura $60,000 2 GM Wesley So $35,000 3 GM Levon Aronian $25,000 4 GM Leinier Dominguez $20,000 T-5 GM Fabiano Caruana $18,000 T-5 GM Sam Shankland $18,000 T-7 GM Ray Robson $12,000 T-7 GM Sam Sevian $12,000 Women’s Section Final Standings Eight-time U.S. Women’s Champion Irina Krush bounced back from a loss in classical to defeat a surging 13 year old Alice Lee in a rapid playoff and went on to win her second straight Women’s American Cup title and $30,000. Lee, the youngest player in the field, took home an impressive $18,000. “The format is great and there will be decisive games no matter what. Match play is the most exciting format in chess – classical, rapid & blitz. I love this format and I hope I contributed to the excitement of this event,” said Grandmaster Irina Krush. Place Name Prize Money 1 GM Irina Krush $30,000 2 FM Alice Lee $18,000 3 IM Nazi Paikidze $12,000 4 WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova $10,000 T-5 WGM Atousa Pourkashiyan $9,000 T-5 WGM Tatev Abrahamyan $9,000 T-7 IM Anna Zatonskih $6,000 T-7 WGM Katerina Nemcova $6,000 Chess fans can watch the full coverage of the American Cup on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube channel with expert commentary by GM’s Yasser Seirawan, Cristian Chirila and IM Jovanka Houska. Next up for the Saint Louis Chess Club will be the Spring Classic, which takes place April 5-13, 2023. Visit www.uschesschamps.com for more information. 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. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article News Press World Champion Garry Kasparov Wins Clutch Chess: The LegendsDuring Grand Reopening of Saint Louis Chess Club Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights The American Cup Returns to Saint Louis March 17-26, 2023 Table of contents February 20 2023 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 Title First Last FIDE Rating GM Hikaru Nakamura 2768 GM Fabiano Caruana 2766 GM Wesley So 2760 GM Leinier Dominguez 2743 GM Levon Aronian 2735 GM Sam Shankland 2710 GM Ray Robson 2702 GM Jeffery Xiong 2692 Women’s Field Title First Last FIDE Rating GM Irina Krush 2432 IM Anna Zatonskih 2348 WGM Begim Tokhirjonova 2328 WGM Katerina Nemcova 2325 IM Nazi Paikidze 2314 WGM Atousa Pourkashiyan 2313 FM Alice Lee 2300 WGM Tatev Abrahamyan 2294 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. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article News Press World Champion Garry Kasparov Wins Clutch Chess: The LegendsDuring Grand Reopening of Saint Louis Chess Club Read the Article
view all news, press, & insights Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2023 Tournament Calendar Table of contents January 12 2023 News Press For more information, contact: Rebecca Buffington Saint Louis Chess Club (314) 277-3930 [email protected] For Immediate Release Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2023 Tournament Calendar Saint Louis, MO (Thursday, January 12, 2023) – The Saint Louis Chess Club has announced their 2023 tournament calendar that will include national, international, and local tournament opportunities for spectators and chess players alike. Below, you will find a table of invitational tournament dates scheduled for this year. All in-person tournaments will comply with all applicable COVID-19 guidelines and may still be subject to change. 2023 Tournament Calendar Saint Louis Super SwissMarch 11 – March 19American CupMarch 16 – March 26Spring Chess ClassicApril 1 – April 10Cairns CupJune 1 – June 13U.S. Junior, Girls & Senior ChampionshipsJuly 14 – July 26Summer Chess ClassicAugust 1 – August 11Saint Louis Norm InvitationalAugust 14 – August 20Champions Showdown: Chess 9LXSeptember 7 – 10U.S. & U.S. Women’s ChampionshipsOctober 4 – October 18Grand Chess Tour: Saint Louis Rapid & BlitzNovember 11 – November 19Grand Chess Tour: Sinquefield CupNovember 19 – December 3Winter Chess ClassicDecember 1 – December 11 The Saint Louis Chess Club plans to host their usual bout of major tournaments in 2023 along with continuing to provide their in-person weekly classes & lectures and in-person open tournaments. There will be a rotating schedule of Resident Grandmasters each month along with online and in-person scholastic tournaments and online Scouts BSA Chess Merit Badge workshops scheduled throughout the year. For more information, please visit the events calendar on saintlouischessclub.org or email at [email protected]. About The Saint Louis Chess Club The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization 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. Related CHESS NEWS prev next News Press World’s Top Women Chess Field Announced for 2026 Cairns Cup in Saint Louis Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships Read the Article News Press U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Saint Louis Chess Club Host Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament with Leading Chess Figures and Saint Louis Students in the Nation’s Capital Read the Article Blog News 2026 Saint Louis Masters by the Numbers Read the Article Blog News Beyond the Board: Digital Classroom Expands Chess Education Read the Article News Press Wesley So Wins Open; Alice Lee Secures Third Consecutive Women’s Title at 2026 American Cup Read the Article Blog News GRANDMASTER IN RESIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: GM Robert Hungaski Read the Article News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces 2026 American Cup Fields Read the Article Blog News Press Saint Louis Chess Club Announces Highly Anticipated 2026 Invitational Tournament Schedule Read the Article Press World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown Read the Article
