Event Details

Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025

Saint Louis Chess Club

2025 U.S. & U.S. Women’s Chess Championships

The Saint Louis Chess Club proudly hosts America’s most prestigious chess events. For two weeks this October, the newly expanded Saint Louis Chess Club will become the epicenter of American chess as 24 elite players compete in these historic tournaments.

Over 11 grueling rounds, the nation’s strongest players will battle for the most coveted titles in American chess, competing for a combined prize fund of $402,000. These championships, which have crowned legends from Bobby Fischer to Fabiano Caruana, determine our national champions and showcase the exceptional depth of American chess talent.

Live coverage with GMs Yasser Seirawan, Maurice Ashley, and WGM Katerina Nemcova daily at 12:20 PM CT on YouTube and Twitch.

web graphic - 2025 U.S. Chess Champion Winner - GM Fabiano Caruana - 1st Place web graphic - 2025 U.S. Chess Championship - Standings After Round 11 web graphic - 2025 U.S. Women's Chess Champion Winner - IM Carissa Yip - 1st Placeweb graphic - 2025 U.S. Women's Chess Championship - Standings After Round 11

U.S. Championship

Prize Fund

Place Prize
1st $55,000
2nd $43,000
3rd $35,000
4th $25,000
5th $20,000
6th $14,000
7th $11,000
8th $10,000
9th $9,000
10th $8,000
11th $7,000
12th $6,000
Winner’s Bonus $7,000
Total Prize Fund $250,000

U.S. Women’s

Championship Prize Fund

Place Prize
1st $35,000
2nd $30,000
3rd $20,000
4th $13,000
5th $9,000
6th $8,000
7th $7,000
8th $6,000
9th $5,500
10th $5,000
11th $4,500
12th $4,000
Winner’s Bonus $5,000
Total Prize Fund $152,000

Special Bonus Prizes

Prize Type Details
Fischer Bonus
Up to $64,000		 5 wins: $1,000 • 6 wins: $2,000 • 7 wins: $4,000
8 wins: $8,000 • 9 wins: $16,000 • 10 wins: $32,000
11 wins: $64,000
*Consecutive wins starting from Round 1
Finish Strong
$5,000		 Awarded to player(s) with highest score in Rounds 6-11
*Prize split in case of tie

Tournament Schedule

Date Event
October 10 Player Arrival (by 6:00 PM)
October 11 Private Opening Ceremony (5:30 – 7:30 PM)
October 12-24 Tournament Rounds (11 rounds total, 12:00-5:00 PM daily)
October 16 & 21 Rest Days
October 25 Playoffs if necessary (12:00 PM)
Private Closing Celebration (5:30 PM – 9:00 PM )

Playoff Format

In the event of a tie for first place, playoffs will be held on October 25, 2025:

Round Format
Initial Rapid Round Robin (G/15; +10)
Second Rapid Round Robin if needed
Final Blitz Round Robins (G/5; +2) until resolved

web graphic - 2025 U.S. Chess Championship Merch Q

photo - 2025 US Chess Championship -- GM Fabiano Caruana - LOU03513
photo - 2025 US Women's Chess Championship - WGM Thalia Cervantes - LOU02491
photo - 2025 U.S. Women's Chess Championship - Day 1 - IM Carissa Yip - LOU06201
photo - 2025 U.S. Chess Championship - Day 1 - GM Sam Shankland - LOU05841
photo - 2025 U.S. Chess Championship - Day 1 - TD Chris Bird - GM Wesley So - GM Grigoriy Oparin - LOU07316
photo - 2025 U.S. Women's Chess Championship - Day 1 - IM Nazi Paikidze - GM Thalia Cervantes - LOU07454