Starting Friday: The American Cup returns

Nakamura joins the fun

Press release by the Saint Louis Chess Club

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 favourites 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.” 

Navigating the Ruy Lopez Vol.1-3

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.

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. 

Time controls

• The classical time control will be game in 90 minutes plus 30-second increments from move one (G/90+30).
• The rapid time control will be game in 25 minutes plus 10-second increments from move one (G/25+10).
• The playoff time control will be game in 10 minutes plus 5-second increments from move one (G/10+5).
• All standard games in the Championship bracket will be played at classical time controls.
• All standard games in the Elimination bracket will be played at rapid time controls.

Open field

Women’s field

Fundamentals of Chess Openings

Starting out in chess is difficult, and this DVD aims to reduce that stress. Designed for beginner levels in openings, a brief introduction to the reasons we play some of the most common moves in popular openings like the Spanish and Sicilian is given.

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 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 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 saintlouischessclub.org.

A Complete Black Repertoire against 1.d4, 1.Nf3 & 1.c4

These video courses feature a black repertoire against 1.d4, 1.Nf3 and 1.c4. The recommended variations are easy to learn and not difficult to remember, but also pose White serious challenges.

Links

• Official site
• Fabiano Caruana wins American Cup! (2022)