2021 US Chess Championships Begin October 6

The 2021 American chess champion is set to be crowned next week at the US Chess Championship, the longest-running national tournament in the history of chess, which returns to the boards inside the Saint Louis Chess Club on Wednesday, October 6.  

Since 1845, the U.S. Championship has invited America’s top players to compete for its coveted national title, with the 2021 event summoning 12 Grandmasters to the nation’s chess capital to battle over nearly $200,000 in prize money and qualification into FIDE’s next World Championship cycle.  

Reigning, two-time U.S. Champion GM Wesley So will defend against a studded American field, which includes World No. 2 GM Fabiano Caruana; FIDE’s 2021 World Cup darling GM Sam Shankland; and GM Aleksandr Lenderman, who qualified for the 2021 U.S. Championship by winning US Chess’ first-ever online qualifier, replacing the annual U.S. Open during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. 

2021 US Chess Championship Field

Running alongside the U.S. Championship in St. Louis will be the 2021 U.S. Women’s Championship. The field of America’s top-12 female players is led by 8-time U.S. Women’s Champion GM Irina Krush, who defends her title over-the-board after winning the first-ever online US Chess Championship in 2020. Chasing Krush will be four players who combine for seven U.S. Women’s Champion titles -- IMs Anna Zatonskih and Nazi Paikidze, and WGM Sabina Foisor  -- as well as US Chess’ current No. 2 rated female IM Carissa Yip, the three-time U.S. Junior Girls Champion looking for an upgraded title. 

2021 U.S. Women's Chess Championship Field

“Participating in the U.S. and U.S. Women’s Chess Championships has been considered one of the ultimate goals for elite chess players in this country,” said Tony Rich, executive director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “Although last year’s tournaments were held online, we are thrilled to announce the return of these two over the board events that will once again be held in the nation’s chess capital. We look forward to hosting our nation’s chess championships for the 13th consecutive year and showcasing the best of our sport.” 

Both 2021 national championships will run concurrent from October 5-19 inside the Saint Louis Chess Club, which has hosted these prestigious events since 2009. The club will also apply the $64,000 Bobby Fischer Prize, awarded to any player who matches the American legend’s perfect 11-0 score from the 1963-64 U.S. Championship. The Fischer prize is sponsored by Saint Louis Chess Club benefactors Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, who will be inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame at the 2021 U.S. Championships opening ceremonies on Tuesday, October 5.

"We are pleased that our premier events are returning to over-the-board play, and that they continue to be hosted by our partners at the Saint Louis Chess Club, who always make the experience an exceptional one for both players and fans," said US Chess Executive Director Carol Meyer.

The 2021 US Chess and Women’s Championships will be streamed live on www.uschesschamps.com, beginning Wednesday, October 5 with first moves daily at 3:00 p.m. central St. Louis time. Analysis and play-by-play of every championship game will be provided by the Grandmaster commentary team including GM Maurice Ashley and four-time US Chess Champion GM Yasser Seirawan. Additional event information may be found at www.uschesschamps.com.

Quick Links:

2021 U.S. Championships Main Page

2021 U.S. Championships Live Games

2021 U.S. Championships Live Commentary

2021 U.S. Championships Pairings and Results