The 25th edition of the President’s Cup, an annual National Championship of the U.S. Collegiate chess teams, took place from 21-22 March at Memorial Student Union, a historic student center at the University of Missouri (Mizzou). For the first time, Mizzou simultaneously hosted the inaugural edition of the Women’s President’s Cup.
Competitors were the top four qualifying teams from the recent Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, and the top four qualifying teams from the 2025 U.S. National Collegiate Women’s Championship. Teams came from Mizzou, Webster University, Saint Louis University, University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley and University of Texas–Dallas.
Mizzou chess team emerged as the Winner of the Open tournament and claimed their second National College Champions title. Mizzou convincingly defeated University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the first round, scored a narrow 2.5-1.5 win over Saint Louis University in the second round, and lost the third round against Webster University. Despite the final-round loss, Mizzou team featuring GM Aryan Tari, GM Isik Can, GM Luka Budisavljevic and GM Mahel Boyer, clinched gold. The success was formally recognized by the 58th Governor of Missouri, Mike Kehoe, who congratulated the team on bringing the prestigious trophy back to Missouri.
Congratulations, @MizzouChess!
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) March 23, 2026
25th President’s Cup – Final rankings:
| # | Team | Pts. | TB | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri | 2 | 7.5 | X | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Saint Louis University | 1.5 | 6 | 0 | X | 0.5 | 1 |
| 3 | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 1.5 | 5.5 | 0 | 0.5 | X | 1 |
| 4 | Webster University | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X |
The first edition of the Women’s President’s Cup was simultaneously played in the same venue. Saint Louis University emerged convincing Winner of the event with perfect score of three match victories. The Winning team was playing in the following composition: WGM Thaila Cervantes Landeiro, WIM Sila Caglar, WGM Gabriela Antova, WFM Patel Dhyana, and WCM Aksithi Eswaran (reserve player).
1st Women’s President’s Cup – Final standings:
| # | Team | Pts. | TB | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Louis University | 3 | 10 | X | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | University of Texas at Dallas | 2 | 7 | 0 | X | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | Webster University | 1 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | X | 1 |
| 4 | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 0 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X |
