2025 American Cup and Champions Showdown in Saint Louis

2025 American Cup: America`s Premier Chess Competition

Saint Louis will host the 2025 American Cup, a prestigious double-elimination chess tournament with a $400,000 prize fund. The event, organized by the Saint Louis Chess Club, will take place at the World Chess Hall of Fame from March 15-24, showcasing the best chess talent in the United States.

This year`s American Cup features a star-studded lineup of elite grandmasters and emerging stars. Among the participants are world No. 2 GM Fabiano Caruana and world No. 3 GM Hikaru Nakamura, alongside formidable players like IM Carissa Yip, who is moving to Saint Louis to enhance her chess career, 15-year-old prodigy IM Alice Lee, and GM Irina Krush, an eight-time U.S. Women’s Champion and two-time American Cup winner.

Carissa Yip`s decision to relocate to Saint Louis was influenced by the Cairns Chess Queens Award and the Saint Louis Chess Club`s dedication to supporting women in chess. She will be the highest-rated female player residing in the US Chess Capital. Yip expressed her gratitude: “I’m very thankful for the chance to collaborate more closely with the Saint Louis Chess Club, especially given their commitment to women`s chess. I appreciate everyone who has facilitated this opportunity, and I`m eager to pursue chess at the highest level in Saint Louis.”

With a significant $400,000 prize pool, the tournament promises intense competition and captivating matches as players vie for victory.

“We are thrilled to once again host the American Cup, gathering the nation’s top chess players,” stated Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “This year’s event is anticipated to be even more exciting, featuring a remarkable blend of experienced grandmasters and rising talents. We expect a thrilling tournament that will keep fans engaged until the very last move.”

2025 Open Division Participants

2025 Women’s Division Participants

The tournament rounds will be broadcast daily on uschesschamps.com with expert commentary by Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila, and Woman Grandmaster Katerina Nemcova.

The Kings Come to Town for 2025 Champions Showdown

Prior to the American Cup, the Saint Louis Chess Club will also host the 2025 Champions Showdown: The Kings, from March 4–6.

The Kings is an exhibition event featuring a new dynamic format: a daily triathlon of blitz, rapid, and semi-classical chess matches, showcasing six of the nation’s leading chess players.

Players will compete for a $250,000 prize fund, with an innovative payout structure: $4,500 per blitz game, $9,000 per rapid game, and $14,000 per semi-classical game. Additionally, a $2,500 prize will be awarded for the most outstanding game, chosen by a committee.

The Champions Showdown will feature GMs Levon Aronian, Fabiano Caruana, Leinier Dominguez, Hikaru Nakamura, Ray Robson, and Wesley So.

Stay updated on the events at uschesschamps.com and on YouTube and Twitch channels.

About the Saint Louis Chess Club

The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting chess within the community. The club provides a venue for tournaments and casual play, as well as chess improvement classes, beginner lessons, and lectures.

Recognizing the cognitive advantages of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club supports chess programs in local schools and encourages the development of new programs. For more information, please visit saintlouischessclub.org.