Andy Woodward

Andy Woodward is an American Grandmaster. Woodward earned his first International Master norm in the North American Junior Championship in 2021, and earned four more norms in Novi Sad, achieving the International Master title. In 2022 Woodward earned his first Grandmaster norm at the 1000GM Hollywood Masters event with a score of 5/9. In 2023 Woodward would earn his second Grandmaster norm, at the Vezerkepzo GM April tournament with a score of 7.0/9. Woodward won the 2023 SPICE Cup, and defeated Hans Niemann in the World Junior Championship. In 2024, Woodward earned his final Grandmaster norm at the Jeddah International Chess Festival with a score of 6.0/9. With this score he became the youngest player in history to qualify for the Grandmaster title at 13 years, 8 months, and 28 days. He is also the second youngest Grandmaster in history. More recently still, Woodward tied for first place in the Saint Louis Summer Classic, tied for first again at the Universal Open Tournament, and achieved victory at the Philadelphia International Chess Tournament, all within the summer of 2024.