Press release by the Saint Louis Chess Club
Although last year’s US Championships were held online (Wesley So was the winner), we are thrilled to announce the return of these two over the board events that will once again be held in the Nation’s Chess Capital.
The drama and excitement that is sure to unfold provides inspiration for chess players in the United States and worldwide. We look forward to hosting our nation’s chess championships for the 13th consecutive year and showcasing the best of our sport.
“We are pleased that our premier events are returning to over-the-board play, and that they continue to be hosted by our partners at the Saint Louis Chess Club, who always make the experience an exceptional one for both players and fans”, said US Chess Executive Director, Carol Meyer.
The 2021 U.S. Championships will be streamed live daily starting at 3:00pm CT on www.uschesschamps.com, featuring play-by-play and analysis from the world-renowned commentary team of GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Maurice Ashley and GM Alejandro Ramirez.
Over the course of eleven rounds, twelve competitors will battle for $194,000 in prize money ($100,000 in the women’s tournament), qualification into the World Championship cycle, and the coveted title of 2021 US Champion.
Time Control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds (increment) per move starting from move one.
The United States’ chess capital | Photo: Austin Fuller
| Title | First | Last | Rating* | Qualification Method |
| GM | Fabiano | Caruana | 2855 | Rating |
| GM | Wesley | So | 2807 | 2020 U.S. Champion |
| GM | Leinier | Dominguez | 2794 | Rating |
| GM | Jeffery | Xiong | 2748 | Rating |
| GM | Sam | Shankland | 2736 | Rating |
| GM | Ray | Robson | 2711 | Rating |
| GM | Dariusz | Swiercz | 2698 | Rating |
| GM | Sam | Sevian | 2692 | Rating |
| GM | Lazaro | Bruzon | 2686 | Rating |
| GM | Alex | Lenderman | 2668 | US Chess Online Qualifier |
| GM | Daniel | Naroditsky | 2654 | Wildcard |
| GM | John | Burke | 2589 | 2020 U.S. Junior Champion |
| Title | First | Last | Rating* | Qualification Method |
| GM | Irina | Krush | 2475 | 2020 U.S. Women's Champion |
| IM | Carissa | Yip | 2468 | 2020 US Girls’ Junior Champion |
| WGM | Anna | Zatonskih | 2453 | Rating |
| WGM | Tatev | Abrahamyan | 2403 | Rating |
| WIM | Nazi | Paikidze | 2386 | Rating |
| WIM | Gulrukhbegim | Tokhirjonova | 2375 | Rating |
| WIM | Katerina | Nemcova | 2347 | Rating |
| WGM | Thalia | Cervantes | 2316 | Rating |
| WGM | Anna | Sharevich | 2296 | Rating |
| WIM | Sabina | Foisor | 2286 | Rating |
| WIM | Ashritha | Eswaran | 2286 | Wildcard |
| WIM | Megan | Lee | 2268 | Wildcard |
*Invitational ratings are calculated based on the September US Chess rating supplement, with bonuses for being at or near peak rating and penalties for inactivity.
20-year-old John Burke will get to face most of the strongest grandmasters in the country | Photo: Austin Fuller
