2023 Chess Journalist of America Awards

Writers, columnists, photographers and analysts from US Chess had much to celebrate at the annual Chess Journalists of America (CJA) meeting on August 2 in Grand Rapids. US Chess took home 27 awards, including two of the “big three” – John Hartmann won “Best Story of the Year” for his January 2023 “L’affaire Niemann,” while WGM Tatev Abrahamyan was awarded the “Best Column” prize in her first year of eligibility.

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Award-winning columnist WGM Tatev Abrahamyan (courtesy Lennart Ootes/SLCC)

Here is the full list of awards won by US Chess. For complete results, visit the CJA website at chessjournalism.org. Congratulations to all!

TOP AWARDS

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Best Story of the Year, Winner

John Hartmann, “L’affaire Niemann” (Chess Life, January 2023)

Best Story of the Year, Honorable Mention

IM Robert Shlyakhtenko, “Fischer versus Spassky, 50 Years On” (Chess Life, August 2022)

Best Column, Winner

WGM Tatev Abrahamyan, “Getting to Work” (Chess Life)

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Best Feature Article, Winner

John Hartmann, “L’affaire Niemann” (Chess Life, January 2023)

Best Single Article of Local Interest, Winner

Steve Erbach, “The Green Bay Open” (Chess Life, June 2022)

Best Interview, Honorable Mention

John Hartmann, “Hikaru Nakamura” (Chess Life, June 2022)

John Hartmann, “Andy Woodward” (Chess Life, November 2022)

Best Instructive Lesson, Winner

WGM Tatev Abrahamyan, “How to Study Tactics” (Chess Life, February 2023)

Best Review, Winner

IM John Watson, “But Does It Actually Work?” (Chess Life, September 2022)

VISUAL ARTS

Best Photojournalism Article, Winner

IM Sandeep Sethuraman / David Llada, “Record and Rivalries” (Chess Life, March 2023)

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Best Art, Honorable Mention

Natasha Roberts, “100K!” (Chess Life, May 2023)

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Best Single Chess Magazine Cover, Winner

David Llada / Natasha Roberts, “The K-12 Grades” (Chess Life Kids, April 2023)

Best Cartoon, Winner

Nicolas Barrios / Melinda Matthews / Natasha Roberts, "That Nakamura Life" (Chess Life Kids, February 2023)

ONLINE

Best Overall Chess Website, Winner

uschess.org

Best National / International Tournament Report, Winner

JJ Lang, “Last Minute Substitute Wins Most Prestigious Online Event of the Year”

Best National / International Tournament Report, Honorable Mention

Aakaash Meduri, “When Gambling Pays Off: Meduri Goes All-In on Vegas”

Best State / Local Tournament Report, Honorable Mention

Brian Kuehl, “Sheridan Open Brings Big Chess to Small Town”

Best Single Podcast, Winner

WGM Jennifer Shahade, “Ladies Knight / Laurel Aronian”

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Best Personal Narrative, Winner

Abhinav Suresh, “Our Man in Madrid”

Best Educational Lesson, Co-Winners

John Hartmann, “Grandmaster versus Amateurs: Lessons from the 2022 U.S. Open”

JJ Lang, “15 Teachable Moments from the PRO Chess League”

Best Tournament / Match Coverage, Winner

CLO coverage of the 2023 World Championship

JUNIOR

Best Online Article by a Junior, Winner

Max Lu, “Mr. President, Señor Presidente! 3 Americans Win Spots at the World Cup!”

Best Online Article by a Junior, Honorable Mention

Davis Zong, “USATE 2023 – Two Teams At Top”

Best Personal Narrative by a Junior, Winner

IM Andy Woodward, “Andy Woodward’s IM Title Quest” (CLO)

Best Personal Narrative by a Junior, Honorable Mention

Max Lu, “Mr. President, Señor Presidente! 3 Americans Win Spots at the World Cup!”

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

US Chess, “Faces”

US Chess, 2023 World Championship Coverage