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Saint Louis Welcomes Rising Stars, Trailblazers and Chess Legends for Expanded 2026 U.S. Junior, Junior Girls’, Senior and Senior Women’s Championships
The brightest young talents and most accomplished veterans in American chess will once again converge in the nation’s Chess Capital as the Saint Louis Chess Club hosts the 2026 U.S. National Championships, including the U.S. Junior Championship, U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship, U.S. Senior Championship and inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Championship from July 12–25.
The invitation-only national championships will showcase America’s top rising stars and legendary competitors battling for national titles and a combined prize fund of $285,000.
This year’s event marks a significant expansion of the championship lineup with the addition of the U.S. Senior Women’s Championship, which will be held in Saint Louis for the first time, bringing together four elite national championships that celebrate excellence across generations of American chess.
“We’re excited to once again welcome the nation’s top young players and veteran champions to Saint Louis,” said Yasser Seirawan, Chief Commentator and Spokesperson for the Saint Louis Chess Club. “The addition of the U.S. Senior Women’s Championship makes this a particularly special year. These four championships showcase both the future of American chess and the players whose achievements have helped shape its history.”
U.S. Junior Championship
The U.S. Junior Championship returns with a $75,000 prize fund and a field featuring many of the strongest young players in the country. Among the competitors is IM Alice Lee, one of only a handful of female players to compete in the open championship field, adding another compelling storyline to one of America’s premier junior competitions.
2026 U.S. Junior Championship Field:
Name Age Qualification Method Invitational Rating Hometown
IM Evan Park 18 2025 U.S. Junior Open Championship 2536 Pittsburgh, PA
IM Bach Ngo 18 2025 Denker Tournament of High School Champions 2474 Gainesville, FL
GM Andy Woodward 16 2025 U.S. Junior Championship 2711 McKinney, TX
GM Abhimanyu Mishra 17 Rating 2723 Englishtown, NJ
GM Brewington Hardaway 17 Rating 2617 Bronx, NY
GM Kirk Ghazarian 20 Rating 2608 Coto De Caza, CA
GM Nico Chasin 19 Rating 2574 New York, NY
IM Liam Putnam 17 Rating 2570 Rocky Point, NY
IM Tanitoluwa Adewumi 15 Rating 2567 New York, NY
IM Alice Lee 16 Wildcard 2497 North Oaks, MN
U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship
The U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship will feature the nation’s top young female players competing for a share of the $50,000 prize fund and the opportunity to add their names to the distinguished list of champions who have gone on to represent the United States on the world stage.
2026 U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship Field:
WGM Zoey Tang 18 2025 U.S. Girls Championship 2439 Portland, OR
CM Irene Fei 13 2025 Haring Tournament of Champions 2202 Ames, IA
FM Rose Atwell 17 Rating 2456 Valencia, CA
WIM Rachael Li 16 Rating 2404 Plano, TX
FM Jasmine Su 15 Rating 2351 Darien, CT
FM Megan Paragua 13 Rating 2342 Elmhurst, NY
WGM Rochelle Wu 20 Rating 2324 Azusa, CA
WGM Iris Mou 17 Rating 2322 New York, NY
WFM Aimee Yang 12 Rating 2255 Blue Bell, PA
WIM Chloe Gaw 17 Wildcard 2247 New York, NY
U.S. Senior Championship
Created by the Saint Louis Chess Club, the U.S. Senior Championship returns with a $100,000 prize fund and a field of legendary competitors, including former champions and some of the most accomplished players in American chess history.
2026 U.S. Senior Championship Field:
GM Alex Fishbein 2025 U.S. Senior Championship 2458 Spring Hill, TN
IM Stuart Rachels 2025 Irwin Tournament of Champions 2472 Tuscaloosa, AL
GM Jesse Kraai 2025 U.S. Senior Open Championship 2426 Baltimore MD
GM Alexander Onischuk Rating 2644 Lubbock, TX
GM Vladimir Akopian Rating 2596 Glendale, CA
GM Alexander Goldin Rating 2549 Lexington, KY
GM Gregory Kaidanov Rating 2502 Lexington, KY
GM Igor Novikov Rating 2500 Lexington, KY
GM Alexander Shabalov Rating 2498 Pittsburgh, PA
GM Joel Benjamin Wildcard 2498 Waldwick, NJ
U.S. Senior Women’s Championship
Making its debut in Saint Louis, the U.S. Senior Women’s Championship will feature many of the nation’s most accomplished female players competing for the title and a share of the $60,000 prize fund. The championship represents an exciting new chapter for American chess, recognizing the achievements and ongoing contributions of women who have helped shape the game across generations.
2026 U.S. Senior Women’s Championship Field:
WFM Natalia Tsodikova 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Championship 2191 Danville, CA
WIM Alexey Root 2025 Top Female Finisher U.S. Senior Open 1921 Denton, TX
WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia Rating 2171 Phoenix, AZ
WIM Beatriz Marinello Rating 2106 New York, NY
WFM Olga Sagalchik Rating 2071 Brooklyn, NY
WFM Ivona Jezierska Rating 2026 Los Angeles, CA
Jennifer Smith Rating 1949 Ann Arbor, MI
WCM Diana Lanni Rating 1947 Washington DC
Catherine Dodson Rating 1935 Virginia Beach, VA
WFM Chouchanik Airapetian Wildcard 1927 Mercer Island, WA
Fans will have the opportunity to experience all four national championships live in Saint Louis, with in-person viewing and access to the tournament playing halls throughout the event. Admission is free for club members and includes standing-room viewing, complimentary beverages and light refreshments. Non-members may purchase a $5 day pass or a $100 annual membership to attend.
Fans can also follow every move live with expert commentary from Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Cristian Chirila alongside Woman Grandmaster Katerina Nemcova and International Master Irene Sukander. Daily coverage will be available on uschesschamps.com and on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch channels.
