Brewington Hardaway

The first U.S. born African American Grandmaster, 17-year-old Brewington Hardaway of New York City learned to play chess at the age of four. He progressed quickly and by his 10th birthday had already been awarded the National Master title. 

Currently rated number 52 on the World Junior list for players under 21, Hardaway is coming off a successful 2025 where he not only earned the Grandmaster title but tied for second in the 544 player Bavarian Open Championship. He helped lead Skakdeild KR to a third-place finish in the 2025-26 Icelandic Team Championship, scoring 4 ½ from 5, good for a 2740 performance rating. 

Brewington has played in two previous U.S. Junior Championships, tying for fifth place in 2024 with Andy Woodward and sharing second place last year with Abhi Mishra.