2024 Cairns Cup

One of the world’s strongest female super-tournaments returns for its 4th edition in 2024. The Cairns Cup will once again take place in Saint Louis, featuring 10 of the world’s best female players competing for a total prize fund of $200,000, the largest in event history.

Taking part are three U.S. stars, GM Irina Krush, IM Alice Lee, and 2023 champion IM Anna Zatonskih, who will be joined by seven elite grandmasters, as they fight for the $50,000 first place prize. The tournament will be similar in format to the prestigious Sinquefield Cup: a ten-player round-robin, featuring nine rounds of classical chess.

The event kicks off on Wednesday, June 12 with the Ultimate Moves, a fun and casual exhibition event featuring Women’s World Chess Champion Grandmaster Nona Gaprindashvili and the Cairns Cup field.

The Saint Louis Chess Club will host daily live commentary from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Follow the games with our Grandmaster in Residence as they analyze the games of this exciting round robin format. Live commentary is open to all members and guests and includes complimentary snacks and beverages.

Inspired by its mission to further promote the game of chess to women, the STLCC chose the name Cairns Cup in honor of co-founder Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield’s maiden name.

Fans can tune in to the Saint Louis Chess Club’s Twitch and YouTube channels for daily live coverage of the tournament with Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan and International Masters Jovanka Houska and Nazi Paikidze starting at 1:00 PM CDT.

GM TAN ZHONGYI
Rating: 2540
Federation: CHN


GM MARIYA MUZYCHUK
Rating: 2510
Federation: UKR


GM NANA DZAGNIDZE
Rating: 2506
Federation: GEO


GM ANNA MUZYCHUK
Rating: 2505
Federation: UKR


GM HARIKA DRONAVALLI
Rating: 2489
Federation: IND


GM ALEXANDRA KOSTENIUK
Rating: 2501
Federation: SUI


GM ELISABETH PAEHTZ
Rating: 2457
Federation: GER


GM IRINA KRUSH
Rating: 2415
Federation: USA


IM ALICE LEE
Rating: 2368
Federation: USA


IM ANNA ZATONSKIH
Rating: 2327
Federation: USA

The 2024 Cairns Cup features a combined prize fund of $200,000!

A moment of anticipation as Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield marks the start of Round 1 at the 2023 Cairns Cup.