The American Cup Returns to Saint Louis March 17-26, 2023

16 Chess Players Will Compete in a Double-Elimination Knockout for $300,000 in Prizes

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--America’s best chess players will return to the Saint Louis Chess Club to battle over the board from March 17- 26, 2023 for the second annual American Cup. With $300,000 in prize money up for grabs, the competitors will prove their mettle under mounting pressure in this double-elimination knockout tournament. This format promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats as they follow their favorites to victory.

“We are thrilled to once again welcome America’s best chess players to the Saint Louis Chess Club in Chess Capital USA,'' said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “This year’s event will be a fast-paced tournament that’s sure to keep fans entertained until the very last round.”

The format will have two brackets composed of eight players each. The eight player field will compete against each other in knockout style. The double elimination format ensures a second shot at the top for any player who loses a match.

Players will be seeded into The American Cup by rating, and the initial round will pair 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5. Players will play a 2-game classical match followed by rapid tiebreaks if needed. The winners advance in the Championship Bracket, while those who lose their match continue with rapid chess in the Elimination Bracket. Anyone who loses their match in the Elimination Bracket is then eliminated from the tournament.

Open Field
Title	First	Last	FIDE Rating
GM	Hikaru	Nakamura	2768
GM	Fabiano	Caruana	2766
GM	Wesley	So	2760
GM	Leinier	Dominguez	2743
GM	Levon	Aronian	2735
GM	Sam	Shankland	2710
GM	Ray	Robson	2702
GM	Jeffery	Xiong	2692

Women’s Field
Title	First	Last	FIDE Rating
GM	Irina	Krush	2432
IM	Anna	Zatonskih	2348
WGM	Begim	Tokhirjonova	2328
WGM	Katerina	Nemcova	2325
IM	Nazi	Paikidze	2314
WGM	Atousa	Pourkashiyan	2313
FM	Alice	Lee	2300
WGM	Tatev	Abrahamyan	2294

In addition to the main event, the Saint Louis Chess Club will host the American Cup Blitz on Sunday, March 26, a side event featuring eliminated players and titled collegiate players.

The rounds will be streamed live daily from March 17 - 26 at 1:00 pm CT on uschesschamps.com with expert commentary featuring Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila along with International Master Jovanka Houska.

About the Saint Louis Chess Club

The Saint Louis Chess Club 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 Saint Louis Chess Club 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.