Justin Wang

International Master Justin Wang, who hails from the Houston suburb of Katy, burst on the national scene in 2019 when he won the U.S. Cadet Championship (for players under 16) ahead of Hans Niemann. He is no stranger to the U.S. Junior Championship having played every year since 2021. His score has gotten better each time, from 3 points, to 4 ½ to 5 and then 6 last year when he finished an excellent second to Christopher Woojin Yoo.

Justin, currently ranked 36th on the World Junior list for players under 21, has played only three tournaments since last year’s U.S. Junior Championship. Will he be rusty or will he come in hungry and well prepared in his last shot at the title?