New Champions Crowned at the 2026 U.S. National Championships in Saint Louis
America’s premier chess hub witnessed a spectacular showcase of talent as the 2026 U.S. Junior, U.S. Junior Girls', U.S. Senior, and the inaugural Saint Louis edition of the U.S. Senior Women’s National Championships concluded at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Held from July 13–24, 2026, the invitation-only event brought together top-tier prodigies and esteemed veterans vying for four national crowns and a total prize pool of $285,000. Photo: Lennart Ootes
1. U.S. Junior Championship: Andy Woodward Retains His Crown
Sixteen-year-old GM Andy Woodward of McKinney, Texas, delivered a dominant, undefeated performance to retain his title as the U.S. Junior Champion. Along with taking home the $23,000 first-place prize (including winner's bonus), Woodward secured his spot in the upcoming 2026 U.S. Championship.
Following closely in a high-caliber field, GM Abhimanyu Mishra and IM Tanitoluwa Adewumi finished tied for second place, each taking home $11,000.
"I'm really happy with the result. This was probably one of the toughest tournaments I've played in a long time. My opponents were playing really well, and I was lucky that it went my way. To come through a field like this makes the victory even more special." - Andy Woodward after winning the tournament
U.S. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
PLACE | PLAYER & AGE | LOCATION | PRIZE MONEY |
1 | GM Andy Woodward, 16 | McKinney, Texas | $23,000* |
T-2 | GM Abhimanyu Mishra, 17 | Englishtown, N.J. | $11,000 |
T-2 | IM Tanitoluwa Adewumi, 15 | New York, N.Y. | $11,000 |
4 | IM Bach Ngo, 18 | Gainesville, Fla. | $7,500 |
T-5 | IM Alice Lee, 16 | North Oaks, Minn. | $5,500 |
T-5 | GM Brewington Hardaway, 17 | Bronx, N.Y. | $5,500 |
7 | GM Kirk Ghazarian, 20 | Coto De Caza, Calif. | $4,000 |
8 | IM Liam Putnam, 17 | Rocky Point, N.Y. | $3,000 |
T-9 | GM Nico Chasin, 19 | New York, N.Y. | $2,250 |
T-9 | IM Evan Park, 18 | Pittsburgh, Pa. | $2,250 |
* Includes Winner’s Bonus
U.S. Junior Girls' Championship: Zoey Tang Makes It Back-to-Back
WGM Zoey Tang successfully defended her crown in the U.S. Junior Girls' Championship. Remaining undefeated throughout the event, Tang earned $15,000 and earned a coveted qualification spot for the U.S. Women's Championship.
A three-way tie for second place emerged among WIM Rachael Li, WGM Rochelle Wu, and FM Jasmine Su, with each player taking home $6,583
"It feels amazing to win this championship again," Tang said. "Winning it the first time was a dream I've had since I was a child, so to come back and do it again this year is really special. My game against Rachael was a huge one—I knew it was a crucial game to win. To win this title a second time gives me confidence and proves to myself that I deserve to be here. I'm also so grateful to all of my friends and family. It's been amazing knowing so many people have been cheering me on throughout the tournament."
U.S. JUNIOR GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
PLACE | PLAYER | LOCATION | PRIZE MONEY |
1 | WGM Zoey Tang, 18 | Portland, Ore. | $15,000* |
T-2 | WIM Rachael Li, 16 | Plano, Texas | $6,583 |
T-2 | WGM Rochelle Wu, 20 | Azusa, Calif. | $6,583 |
T-2 | FM Jasmine Su, 16 | Darien, Conn. | $6,583 |
5 | FM Megan Paragua, 13 | Elmhurst, N.Y. | $3,750 |
6 | FM Rose Atwell, 17 | Valencia, Calif. | $3,000 |
7 | WGM Iris Mou, 17 | New York, N.Y. | $2,500 |
8 | CM Irene Fei, 13 | Ames, Iowa | $2,250 |
9 | WFM Aimee Yang, 12 | Blue Bell, Pa. | $2,000 |
10 | WIM Chloe Gaw, 17 | New York, N.Y. | $1,750 |
U.S. Senior Championship: Vladimir Akopian Triumphs in Playoff
In a dramatic finish to the Senior Championship, GM Vladimir Akopian defeated GM Alexander Onischuk in a tense playoff match to claim the title and $26,000. Onischuk secured $21,000 for second place, while GM Alexander Shabalov and GM Alexander Fishbein shared third place with $11,250 each.
"I expected a tough playoff against Alex," Akopian said. "I was exhausted after yesterday's game and didn't have much energy to prepare. I found myself in trouble in both games, so I'm very grateful to come away with the title." - Vladimir Akopian
U.S. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
PLACE | PLAYER | LOCATION | PRIZE MONEY |
1 | GM Vladimir Akopian | Glendale, Calif. | $26,000* |
2 | GM Alexander Onischuk | Lubbock, Texas | $21,000 |
T-3 | GM Alexander Shabalov | Pittsburgh, Pa. | $11,250 |
T-3 | GM Alexander Fishbein | Spring Hill, Tenn. | $11,250 |
T-5 | GM Joel Benjamin | Waldwick, N.J. | $6,750 |
T-5 | GM Jesse Kraai | Baltimore Md. | $6,750 |
T-7 | GM Gregory Kaidanov | Lexington, Ky. | $4,750 |
T-7 | GM Igor Novikov | Lexington, Ky. | $4,750 |
T-9 | GM Alexander Goldin | Lexington, Ky. | $3,750 |
T-9 | IM Stuart Rachels | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | $3,750 |
* Includes Winner’s Bonus
U.S. Senior Women's Championship: Anjelina Belakovskaia Claims Title
Three-time U.S. Women's Champion (1995, 1996, 1999) WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia added another milestone to her career by capturing the U.S. Senior Women’s Championship. Leading the field for most of the event, she earned the $17,750 top prize.
WFM Natalia Tsodikova finished clear second ($10,000), followed by WFM Chouchanik Airapetian in third ($7,500).
"It feels great," said Belakovskaia. "I wish I had won it last year, but it just didn't happen. Coming back this year and earning the title outright makes this victory especially meaningful. - Anjelina Belakovskaia
U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
PLACE | PLAYER | LOCATION | PRIZE MONEY |
1 | WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia | Phoenix, Ariz. | $17,750 |
2 | WFM Natalia Tsodikova | Danville, Calif. | $10,000 |
3 | WFM Chouchanik Airapetian | Mercer Island, Wash. | $7,500 |
4 | WFM Olga Sagalchik | Brooklyn, N.Y. | $6,000 |
5 | WIM Beatriz Marinello | New York, N.Y. | $4,500 |
6 | Jennifer Skidmore Smith | Ann Arbor, Mich. | $4,000 |
T-7 | WFM Ivona Jezierska | Los Angeles, Calif. | $2,975 |
T-7 | WIM Alexey Root | Denton, Texas | $2,975 |
9 | Catherine Dodson | Virginia Beach, Va. | $2,400 |
"These championships showcased an extraordinary level of talent, determination, and fighting spirit from every competitor. The future of American chess is exceptionally bright..."
— GM Yasser Seirawan, Chief Commentator and Spokesperson
What’s Next at Saint Louis?
The summer action at the Saint Louis Chess Club continues with the Grand Chess Tour and Cairns Cup:
Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz: July 31 – August 7
Sinquefield Cup: August 8 – 21
Cairns Cup: August 8 – 21
Grand Chess Tour Finals: August 21 – 28
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.
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