Highest Rated Field Set for 2016 U.S. Championships

SAINT LOUIS (February 9 , 2016) – For the eighth consecutive year, the nation’s top 24 chess players will gather in Saint Louis to compete for the titles of U.S. Champion and U.S. Women’s Champion.

The 2016 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship, boasting the strongest fields of American men and women ever assembled, will be held simultaneously at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) from April 13 through April 30.

The U.S. Championship features a headline clash between the nation’s top-three players: Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, the top American player and world number seven will seek to defend his title against world number three GM Fabiano Caruana, who is making his first-ever U.S. Championship debut, and GM Wesley So, who is currently ranked No. 10 in the world.  Beyond the three global elite, half of this year’s national championship field are players currently ranked in the top 100 in the world, including former U.S. Champion GM Gata Kamsky and 2014 Olympiad gold-medalist GM Sam Shankland.

The 2016 U.S. Women's Championship will feature seven-time U.S. Women’s Champion GM Irina Krush, who seeks to maintain her iron grip over an up-and-coming field of American females. Krush’s competition includes IM Anna Zatonskih, the current No. 1 rated American woman, who returns this year after taking last year off due to having a new baby, and two up-and-coming teenagers - 14-year-old WIM Jennifer Yu and 12-year-old Carrisa Yip.

“The U.S. Championships are my favorite events each year. We work hard to promote America’s best players, and many of them feel like a part of our chess family,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the CCSCSL. “These players represent an outstanding cross-section of the current state of U.S. chess, creating what is certain to be a fierce competition for our nation’s highest titles.”

The 2016 U.S. Championships will be streamed live daily on www.uschesschamps.com, featuring play-by-play and analysis from the world-renowned commentary team of GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Maurice Ashley and WGM Jennifer Shahade. Live spectators may view the action in the tournament hall and enjoy additional GM-led commentary on-site. Additional event, ticketing and hotel information may be found at www.uschesschamps.com.

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About The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.

Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.