Andy Woodward

Grandmaster Andy Woodward, who turned 16 this past May, had a spectacular 2025. While Andy’s early development saw continual progress rather than a sudden leap forward, last year was something different. The Dallas area native, who had achieved the National Master title in 2020, the FIDE Master title in 2021, the International Master title in 2022, and Grandmaster title in the summer of 2024, started 2025 rated 2544 FIDE.  He ended the year at 2608, a huge leap forward. Andy has continued to progress and is now at 2638 which puts him at equal 85th in the world and tied for seventh on the top junior list. He is the second highest rated player in the world under 17.

Andy was the 2025 Chess.Com Puzzle Battle World Champion and is the defending U.S. Junior Champion.