SP3 SP2 THE BIG THREE: Behind the Scenes Caruana, Nakamura, So —and Cameras—of the Grand Tour SP2 The Pro Chess SP4 League Returns Key Games Played in Saint Louis

MOVES THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT ANALYSIS Sports APRIL 12, 2018 – COMMENTARY Saint Louis FEBRUARY 24, 2019

SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/LENNART OOTES Let's Talk About Chess "I am a chess commentator. That is a sentence I write with pride."

BY Kasparov and fan getting paid to whoop and code, to artfully infuse dry varia- lution of broadcasting chess as duked it out for the title inside holler in a stadium while watch- tions with compelling story lines. sports entertainment. I fully appre- a (mostly) sound-proof booth, a ing Michael, Kobe, or Lebron bully Commentators bring their con- ciate that we are on the front lines of I am a chess commentator. That is match that began on September their way through the trasting opinions and personalities progress and potential growth, look- a sentence I write with pride. 11 on the 107th floor of the South in the NBA Finals. I get to work into the mix all the while keep- ing to gain the level of respect many For more than twenty years, I Tower of the World Trade Center. In alongside a team of Hall of Fame ing track of multiple games that other sports have already attained. have been blessed with a front row 1997, I helped to call the 2nd Man talents (, Jennifer build in tension toward the almost While it’s certainly easier to call a seat watching the game’s greatest vs. Machine match when IBM’s Shahade, Alejandro Ramirez, inevitable pulse-racing moments physical activity where the athletes players spend hour after hour in super computer Deep Blue dealt Cristian Chirila), as we argue over of acute time pressure. In the post- swiftly dart about the field or court, pitched battles trying to rip each a digital blow of revenge against complicated ideas in front of a game interviews, commentators we chess commentators embrace other to shreds. I was there, in 1994, Kasparov, who had defeated it the live worldwide audience eagerly gently cajole players who have just the challenge of making thirty-two in a small booth overlooking the year before, sending a collective following every move of their stumbled out of the heat of battle wooden pieces come alive on a flat stage inside the Kremlin in shiver down the spines of humans favorite players. to reveal something of their inner- board of sixty-four squares. during the epic World Chess everywhere as the cold truth stared Why is a commentator impor- most thoughts and feelings they I am a chess commentator. I write Grand Prix tournament. It was the us in the face that the silicon enti- tant? Well, it’s the commenta- had during a game they may have those words with a satisfied smile. first time a major chess event had ties had irrevocably surpassed us in tor’s task to pull back the curtain just lost. We ride the waves of emo- ever been held inside that grand our precious pastime, if not (yet) in to reveal the hidden excitement of tions as we recall how we feel when complex, and I was bellowing so actual intelligence. chess games full of dramatic twists we play, and we empathize with loudly from the excitement of the Jump ahead two decades and and turns, hidden subplots, psy- the game’s geniuses as they suffer games that Klara Kasparova, the now I travel the world calling the chological intrigue, intense mood over move after move, round after then World Champion’s mother, games of a new generation of chess swings, and moments of pure round, day in, day out, till there is switched her headphones from the giants. When I witness Magnus devastation. While we may use only one champion left standing. Above, Legendary World Russian channel to the English one Carlsen time and again cut through engines as partners as they spit As someone who lives to promote Champion to hear what all the fuss was about. a field of elite warriors in elabo- out lines of often brilliant analy- our royal game and who wishes to interviewed by Grandmaster A year later, I partnered with the rately staged Blitz competitions, sis, it is up to the human expert to see it become more mainstream, Maurice Ashley during Round 8 legendary Danny as Garry I often feel like an over-enthused tell the tale behind the reams of I relish my role as a part of the evo- of the 2015 . SP2 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT SPORTS APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT SPORTS APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 SP3

Behind the Scenes -and Cameras-of

BY ERIC MOUSEL the spear, the cherry on top, Few of us work for the Broadcast Editor whatever sits aloft the things same company and many are you like! freelancers, but we’re all fam- “This game will be over in Energetic and exciting ily, which makes each major two moves.” commentary is the backbone tournament we cover feel “…and how long will that of our show and all of our like a homecoming. Similar take?” commentators produce both to when a bunch of super- “It could be 20 seconds. It in enormous sums. Want heroes join together to fight could be two hours.” proof? Even I, a 'TV Person', a supreme evil, but with less Let’s get one thing clear–20 can understand what they’re violence, and it’s catered. seconds is a lifetime when it talking about (sometimes). Third, and last, we need comes to live television. It’s Besides, imagine if we instead you–the fans. [What, did you PHOTOS SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER the real world equivalent of hired Ben Stein. You’d be in think we’d forget to include deciding what to wear on cryogenic sleep halfway to you in this back-patting ses- a first date, or which of 50 Mars by now. sion?] Chess is a world sport toppings to smother on your Second, you need an excep- and so we are an interna- Froyo. These things take time. tionally good team for broad- tional production, dedicated [Ed. Note: I should point cast. And, as you might’ve to giving you the best cover- The Big 3: Caruana, Nakamura, So out that none of the technical guessed, that’s not an easy age possible. And when I say staff, “TV People,” at the Saint thing to come up with on a dedicated I mean “walking Louis Chess Club are what whim (I’ve yet to see a bill- into the studio at 5 a.m. wear- BY ROBERT HESS Championships held in Saint has been halted by Caruana and World Champion title. 2016 World . The you’d call “chess people.” board for “Exceptionally ing yoga pants and clutching Grandmaster Louis were played in 2009, with So, both of whom are also firmly So, born and raised in the United States team, supported by But that doesn’t matter in the Good Broadcast Team” as an espresso” dedicated. Nakamura, then a newly-minted entrenched among the world’s , initially came to the the STLCC, won gold in for same way a chef doesn’t need I was cruising down I-70). If you’ve been enjoy- When Americans hear of a “Big 2700 FIDE, reigning supreme for elite players. U.S. to join the chess program at the first time in four decades. to know the Sicilian open to We have... ing from afar, think about Three,” nostalgia might take their his second title. Caruana, a dual citizen who Webster University. After leav- The Saint Louis Chess Club, make spa- Producers, who make sure making a trip here. We’d minds to competitors in the auto- Since that championship, switched to the Italian federa- ing school to make the game his founded by generous benefactors ghetti and meatballs.] everyone is doing their jobs love to see you in person. In motive industry or the early televi- Nakamura has tacked on two more tion in 2005 before returning to profession, So’s rating has soared. Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield, So, how do you combine a and on time; 2016, our broadcasts of the sion networks. Fans of the runaway and become a mainstay in the compete under the American flag Opportunities in Saint Louis have has been the catalyst for chess game notorious for long, pro- Directors, who call all the Grand Chess Tour tourna- NBC television hit This is Us may world top ten, reaching his peak in 2015, acknowledged that the aided So in his journey to world development in the United States. tracted mental battles with shots and direct the on-air ments alone garnered mil- shed uncontrollable tears when of world number two in October STLCC played a vital role in his number two and qualification for There are numerous events held the frantic, fast-paced format talent through their ear lions of viewers around the hearing the phrase. of 2015. He scored an impressive decision to depart Europe. A his- the 2018 Candidates’ Tournament. every year for living legends and of sports broadcasting? pieces; world. Not bad for a group of Today’s American chess fans international victory in Wijk aan toric seven straight wins during his The 2016 Sinquefield Cup was blossoming prodigies alike, includ- First, you’re going to need Camera and sound crew nomads coming together in know Grandmasters Fabiano Zee (2011) and three-peats at the at the 2014 Sinquefield his first super-tournament vic- ing the Champions Showdown, a Yasser, a Maurice, and a who capture all the sights and Saint Louis to produce one of Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Chess Challenge and the Cup, arguably the greatest perfor- tory and propelled him to the top quarterly tournaments, and Jennifer. Yasser Seirawan sounds to bring the action to the most unique broadcasts as the “Big Three” repre- Chess Festival (2015-17). mance ever recorded, undoubtedly of the 2016 Grand Chess Tour. He the U.S. and Girls’ Junior and Maurice Ashley are both life; in all of sports. senting the United States. Nakamura’s strong play in the 2016 influenced him to establish resi- followed up that breakthrough Championships. Inspired by Grandmasters and Jennifer IT, post-production, social Saint Louis and the Saint Louis Grand Prix qualified him for the dence in Saint Louis. As a result of success by winning the 2017 U.S. Caruana, Nakamura, and So, the Shahade is a chess champion media, and the broadcast Chess Club (STLCC) have played an Candidates’ Tournament, whose that tournament, Caruana became Chess Championship. next generation of American chess and author. This dynamic trio editor who produce all the integral role in raising the stand- winner earns the right to face the the third highest rated player in The trio have been fierce com- talent has more opportunities than make up the Grand Chess graphics for every show. ards of American chess. The first of World Champion. His quest for history. In 2018, Caruana will petitors, but together formed a any of its predecessors, all thanks Tour commentary and analy- All come together to produce Originally published on ten straight U.S. and U.S. Women’s additional U.S. Championships challenge for the potent one-two-three punch at the to the Saint Louis Chess Club. sis team that you see on-air. the best chess show on Earth St. Louis Public Radio, Our analysts are the tip of (and probably Mars, too). December 2016

(1) Commentators WGM and GM Yasser Seirawan seen from behind the camera. The Pro Chess League Returns (2) GM Maurice Ashley analyzes a game during live commentary.

BY DENES BOROS minutes for the whole game, with (3) Legendary World Grandmaster an extra two-second increment for Champion Garry Kasparov every move. Matches between two joins the commentary The inaugural Pro Chess League teams take roughly two hours, with team to interview season ended with a resounding 16 total games played. There are former World Champion victory by the Saint Louis Arch some changes though. Every team Viswanathan Anand. Bishops last year. The Pro Chess will post their four-player lineup League, originally the U.S. Chess prior to the start of the match. This (4) Inside the production van. League, used to be an change means that there will be no tournament where American chess substitutions allowed during game (5) GM Cristian Chirila teams, from different states and play, so players can’t just sit in for filming the show opening. cities, competed for first place. one game; they will have to play all Chess.com, the founder of the Pro four rounds. Chess League, decided to innovate After the rules change and and expand on this league by invit- league surprises were announced, ing players from other cities, coun- the league draft was in full swing. tries and continents. The first event The first surprise was Fabiano was a great success, as teams from Caruana’s departure from the all over the world joined to play. Montreal Chessbrahs, as he now There were contestants from cities joins the ranks of the Saint Louis like , , , and Arch Bishops. In fact, that is of course, the Chess Capital of the not the only recruitment. Mike United States: Saint Louis. Kummer, the team manager of the Surprisingly, the teams from Arch Bishops, also enlisted Annie London and Paris didn’t manage to Wang, the reigning World Under 16 get into the finals. Instead, the final Youth Champion. was played between a Norwegian The Saint Louis team is not the team, the Gnomes, led by only one gearing up for a new none other than reigning World and even more combative sea- SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER Champion Magnus Carlsen. The son: The Montclair Sopranos are Norway Gnomes faced the Saint now joined by Alex Lenderman, Louis Arch Bishops in a tough and by Africa’s first ever Elite Chessbrahs, shocked by the loss of the first ever chess eSport event 2017 Saint Louis Arch Bishops, fight. The Saint Louis Arch Bishops, grand master, Amin Bassem, who their team leader Caruana, did not April 7-8, 2018. The teams battling from left to right: NM Nicholas led by Saint Louis resident and U.S. just recently crossed the magical despair and recruited , it out this year are the Rosenthal, GM Wesley So, Champion Wesley So, triumphed— rating of 2700. The league grew the strongest female player of Eagles, Ljubujana Turtles, Saint GM , GM Dariusz helping the Saint Louis Chess Club so much that many more coun- recent years. Louis Arch Bishops, and Chengdu Świercz, GM , team become the first champions tries joined the action. China and The 2018 season began on January Pandas. GM Francesco Rambaldi, of the Pro Chess League. India both have a team represent- 18th, and ends in an exciting, pub- GM Cemil Can Ali Marandi, This year, the Pro Chess League ing them at the Pro Chess League lic final in San Francisco hosted by GM Ben Finegold, and International returns with some new rules and this year with players like former Chess.com and . The world's Arbiter Mike Kummer. new faces. The did World Champion Viswanathan best chess players will battle it out Originally published on St. Louis not change; players will still get 15 Anand in their ranks. The Montreal at the Folsom Street Foundry for Public Radio, January 2018

PHOTOS SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER SP4 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT SPORTS APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT SPORTS APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 SP5 Key Games Played in Saint Louis

BY In a recent interview, Fabiano Woman Grandmaster Caruana called his win over at the 2014 Sinquefield Cup Countless memorable games have one of his best games ever. It was unfolded at the Saint Louis Chess the fourth in his amazing series of Club, many of which have become seven consecutive wins at the event. integral parts of modern chess his- tory. From junior players to Magnus (C77) Carlsen, chess players have essayed (2801) their best moves right here at the Levon Aronian (2805) U.S. Chess Capital. Major tourna- Sinquefield Cup 2nd ments hosted in Saint Louis include Saint Louis (4), 30.08.2014 the U.S. Junior and U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, the U.S. and U.S. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Women’s Championships, and the Nf6 5.0–0 Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 0–0 Sinquefield Cup. Some players have 8.Nc3 d6 9.a3 Na5 10.Ba2 Be6 experienced the biggest heartbreaks 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.b4 Nc6 13.Bd2 d5 of their careers during those events, 14.Re1 Qd6 15.Na2 while other have set records and reached career milestones. Caruana spots the outpost on c5 and decides to bring his ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— there. SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/SPECTRUM STUDIOS PHOTO © HARRY BENSON In 2009, scored 15. … Nd7 16.Qe2 d4 17.Reb1 Nb6 an incredible 8.5/9 to clinch the 18.Nc1 Na4 19.Nb3 Rf7 20.Rc1 Rd8 The Saint Louis Chess Club has been a vital part title of the U.S. Women’s Champion 21.Ng5 Rf6?! of its community and the chess world at large for the second year in a row. She since its inception in 2008. From local events for secured the title with one round 21...Bxg5 22.Bxg5 Rdf8 23.Rf1 Nc3 children to world class events, the Chess Club to spare with a win over future US was a better option for Black. has welcomed players of all levels. Here are some Women’s Champion Sabina Foisor photos from a few of those memorable events. with an idea reminiscent of the 22.Qh5 h6 23.Nf3 Rdf8 24.Rf1 SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER famous endgame between Topalov IM Nazi Paikidze vs. WGM Tatev Abrahamyan during Round 10 of the 2017 U.S. Women's Chess Championship. (1) Magnus Carlsen wins the 2013 Sinquefield Cup. and Shirov from 1998. Regrouping his pieces and defending the f2 . (2) Fabiano Caruana wins the 2014 Sinquefield ’s Declined [D35] 8.0–0 0–0 9.Qb3 Nc6 10.Nxd5 13. … Nb8 14.Bc2 Bc6 15.Bd3 b6 KING’S INDIAN DEFENSE (E71) Cup after a record-setting 7 game streak. WGM Sabina Foisor (2320) 24. … R8f7 25.Rae1 Bf8 26.h3 g6 Bc5 11.Ne3 Bg6 12.Qxb7 Nd4 16.Qc2 Na6 17.a3 Qb7 18.b3 Nh5 Akshita Gorti (2232) IM Anna Zatonskih(2462) 27.Qh4 Qe7 28.Qg3 Bg7 29.Na5 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.d3 Nc5 15.Qb5 Rb8 19.Bb2 Nf4 20.Bf1 Bd7 Agata Bykovtsev (2045) (3) Rex Sinquefield and Chess Campus staff USA-ch (Women) Saint Louis (8), Nxa5 30.Nxe5! 16.Qc4 Ne6 17.f4 Bxb2 18.Rb1 Qd4 USA-ch U20 Girls Saint Louis (7), partake in a Human Chess Match, 2010. 12.10.2009 19.Rxb2 Rxb2 20.Bg4 The position is closed, so the play- 14.07.2017 The most accurate move. 30.bxa5 ers are shuffling their pieces around (4) Garry Kasparov joins Jennifer Shahade and 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 Rxf3 31.gxf3 Kh7 32.Kh2 Rf6 fol- XABCDEFGHY until one side finds a break. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 Yasser Seirawan for commentary, 2015. exd5 5.Bf4 Nf6 6.Qc2 c5 7.e3 cxd4 lowed by … Qf7 would give Black 8-+-+-trk+( d6 5.h3 0–0 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 a5 8.c5 8.exd4 Nc6 counterplay. 21.b4 Nb8? Na6 9.cxd6 cxd6 10.Nf3 Bd7 (5) The “World” team wins the Match of the 7zp-zp-+pzpp' Millennials, 2014. After several transpositions 30. … Nb7 31.Nxg6 Qd8 32.e5 Rf5 6-+-+n+l+& 21...axb4 22.axb4 b5 would give 10. … Nd7 is more accurate. Black we reach a symmetrical pawn 33.f4 5+-+-zP-+-% Black more room. needs a knight on c5. (6) 2015 U.S. and U.S. Women’s Chess Champions: structure. Hikaru Nakamura and . XABCDEFGHY 4-+Qwq-zPL+$ 22.b5! 11.Nd2 Nc5 12.Bxc5! 9.Bb5 Qb6 10.Nge2 0–0 11.Bxc6 8-+-wq-+k+( 3+-+PsN-+-# (7) Garry Kasparov returns to competitive chess at Qxc6 12.0–0 Be6 13.Rac1 Rac8 14.f3 7+nzp-+rvl-' 2Ptr-+-+PzP" Grabbing more space on the Akshita shows great positional the 2017 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz Tournament. Qd7 15.g4 queenside. Now the knight on b8 is understanding in giving up her 6p+-+p+Nzp& 1+-vL-+RmK-! stuck. important to weaken Black's SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB This move is unnecessary and the 5+p+-zPr+-% xabcdefghy . beginning of White's problems. 22. … Be6 23.Kh2 Qc8 24.Ng1 g5 4nzP-zp-zP-+$ This is the critical moment. 25.g3 Ng6 26.Nc4 f5 12. … dxc5 13.a4 Ne8 14.Bb5 Bc8 15. … b5 16.a3 Ne8 17.Qb3 a6 3zP-+P+-wQP# XABCDEFGHY MAJOR TOURNAMENT MOMENTS 18.Bg3 Rc4 19.Rcd1 f6 20.Rfe1 Bf7 2-+PvL-+P+" 20. … Rb4?? With the closing of the queenside, 21.Nf4 Nc7 22.Qc2 b4 23.axb4 Bxb4 attention shifts to the kingside. 8r+lwqntrk+( 24.Qf5 Qxf5 25.gxf5 Nb5 26.Nfe2 1+-+-tRRmK-! Simply retreating with 20...Qb6 7+p+-+pvlp' Nxc3 27.bxc3 Bxc3 28.Nxc3 Rxc3 xabcdefghy and keeping the knight pinned 27.exf5 Bxf5 28.Qd2 Nd7 29.Bg2 would have kept the game going. Rb8 30.Re2 Be6 31.Ne3 Nf6 32.Qc2! 6-+-+-+p+& Black is now up a pawn in an Black is up a piece, but all of his Play might have continued 21.Bxb2 5zpLzpPzp-+-% opposite-colored bishop ending. pieces are useless, scattered all over (21.f5? Rb4 22.Qc2 Rxg4) 21. … Exploiting the weaknesses of the the board. Qxe3+ 22.Kh1 Bxd3 23.Qc3 Rb8. light squares. 4P+-+P+-+$ 29.Kf2 Rfc8 30.Re3 Rxe3 31.Kxe3 3+-sN-+-+P# Rc3+ 32.Rd3 Rxd3+ 33.Kxd3 33. … c5 34.Nh4 Rh5 35.Nf3 Kh7 21.Qxd4 Rxd4 22.f5 32. … Bf7 33.Rae1 e4 34.f3 d5 2-zP-sN-zPP+" 36.Qg4 Rhf5 37.Nh4 Kh8 Now White will win a piece and 35.fxe4 dxe4 36.Rf1 Nf8 37.c4 Bg6 The of the rooks should the game. 38.Ref2 Qd8 39.d5 N8d7 40.Ne2 1tR-+QmK-+R! favor White, as these endgames give White wins the material back and Ne5 41.Nd4 xabcdefghy the side with less material great converts his advantage. 22. … Nf4 23.Nc2 Ra4 24.Bxf4 h5 drawing chances. However, White 25.Bd1 Bh7 26.Ne3 Rxa2 27.e6 fxe6 XABCDEFGHY 15.Bxe8! has pawn weaknesses that Black's 38.Nxf5 Rxf5 39.Qg6 Qe7 40.g4 28.Bb3 Re2 29.fxe6 Re8 30.e7+ Kh8 8-tr-wqr+k+( bishop can exploit. Rf8 41.f5 Qe8 42.Qxe8 Rxe8 43.f6 31.Bg5 7+-zp-+-vl-' Giving up the other bishop to Bf8 44.f7 Re7 45.Rf6 Nb6 46.Bxh6 ensure the knight doesn't land on 33. … Bh5 34.Ke3 a5 35.Bd6 Kf7 Nd7 47.Ref1 cxb4 48.axb4 Bxh6 1–0 6-zp-+-snlzp& d6. Now both of Black's bishops 36.Kf4 Ke8 37.Ba3 a4 38.Ke3 Kd7 49.Rxh6+ Kg7 50.Rh5 5zpP+Psn-zp-% are useless while the White knights 39.h3 Kd8 40.Bf8 Ke8 41.Bc5 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— will dominate the board. 1–0 4-+PsNp+-+$ If 41.Bxg7?? a3 42.Bxf6 a2 and the Going into the last round of the 3zP-+-sN-zPP# 15. … Rxe8 16.0–0 f5 17.Nc4 f4 pawn will promote. ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— 2017 U.S. Junior Championship, 2-vLQ+-tRLmK" 18.d6 Be6 19.Nd5 Qg5 20.Ra3 was half a point 41. … Kf7 42.h4 Kg8 43.Kf4 Be8 defeated behind the tournament leader, 1+-+-+R+-! Defending the h3 pawn while SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/LENNART OOTES SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER 44.Ba3 Bb5 45.Ke3 Kf7 46.Bb4 Bc4 in a must-win final Kayden Troff. The tables were xabcdefghy positioning the to attack the 47.Kd2 Bf1 48.Ke3 Bh3 49.Kf4 Ke8 round game at the 2017 U.S. turned when Kayden found himself black pawns. 50.Ba3 Kd7 51.Bf8 Kc6 52.Ke3 Bxf5 Championship, tying for first place outprepared and collapsed, allow- The knight will land on either e6 53.Kd2 g5 54.Be7 gxh4 55.Bxf6 h3 with Wesley So and forcing the ing Awonder to surpass him with or f5, devastating the Black king. 20. … Rf8 21.Ndb6 Rad8 22.Kh1 56.Be5 Be4!! first playoff since 2014. So defeated a win. The young prodigy did not Rf7 23.f3 Bf8 24.Rd3 Qh5 25.Qd2 Onischuk in the first game of their miss his opportunity to squeeze 41. … Nh5 42.Ndf5 Nf3+ 43.Bxf3 Bg7 26.b3 g5 27.Kg1 Qg6 28.Qxa5 XABCDEFGHY rapid match and drew the sec- his way to victory, winning the U.S. exf3 44.Rxf3 Kh7 45.g4 Bxb2 The pawns fall, one by one. 8-+-+-+-+( ond, making him the 2017 U.S. Juniors and qualifying to 2018 US 46.gxh5 Be5+ 47.Kh1 Bxh5 48.Ne7+ 7+-+-+-+p' Champion. Championship. Kg7 49.Nc6 Qd7 50.Nf5+ Kh8 28. … Rdf8 29.d7 Rd8 30.Qxc5 51.Re3 Bf6 52.Nxb8 Rxb8 53.Re6 Bxc4 31.Nxc4 Bf8 32.Qc7 Qf6 6-+k+-+-+& MIKENAS ATTACK (A18) RUY LOPEZ (C66) Rf8 54.Ng3 33.Nxe5 Rg7 34.Rfd1 h5 35.Rd5 g4 5+-+pvL-+-% Wesley So (2822) Awonder Liang (2536) 36.hxg4 h4 37.g5 Qxg5 38.Ng4 Qe7 Alexander Onischuk (2667) Michael William Brown (2508) 1–0 39.Nh6+ Kh7 40.Nf5 Rxg2+ 41.Kxg2 4p+-zPl+-+$ USA-ch playoff Saint Louis (1), USA-ch U20 Saint Louis (9), Qg5+ 42.Kh2 h3 43.Rg1 Qf6 44.e5 3+-+-+P+p# 10.04.2017 16.07.2017 ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— Qxf5 45.Qxd8 Qc2+ 46.Kh1 Qf2 2-+-mK-+-+" 47.Qh4+ Qxh4 48.d8Q Qf2 49.Rd7+ 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 d5 4.cxd5 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 With this dominating victory in 1+-+-+-+-! exd5 5.e5 Ne4 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.Be2 Be7 d6 5.0–0 Bd7 6.Re1 g6 7.c3 Bg7 8.d4 round 7, Akshita Gorti extended 1–0 xabcdefghy 0–0 9.Ba4 h6 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.h3 a5 her lead in the 2017 U.S. Girls’ The players enter a sharp vari- 12.Qb3 Qc8 13.Qd1 Junior Championship to 1.5 points. A brilliant way to end the game! ation. Wesley later tried the same She convincingly won the tourna- Black will have three passed pawns, line with the Black pieces against White's last two moves are a sign ment with a round to spare and and White can’t stop them all. Caruana and lost. (See Caruana-So, that he is not quite sure how to qualified for the 2018 U.S. Women’s Paris 2017, for the game.) handle this position. Championship. 0–1

SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/LENNART OOTES SP6 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT SPORTS APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT SPORTS APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019 SP7 Tournament Winners 2009–2017

2009 2015 U.S. Championship U.S. Championship Hikaru Nakamura Hikaru Nakamura

U.S. Women's Championship U.S. Women's Championship Anna Zatonskih Irina Krush

U.S. Junior Championship Akshat Chandra 2010 SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB Sinquefield Cup U.S. Championship Levon Aronian SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/SPECTRUM STUDIOS PHOTO © HARRY BENSON Battle of the Legends U.S. Women's Championship Garry Kasparov Irina Krush Magnus Carlsen, 2013 Fabiano Caruana, 2014 Showdown in Saint Louis U.S. Junior Championship Fabiano Caruana “I’d like to thank Rex and Jeanne again, “In terms of this tournament, it’s probably Hou Yifan and if everything goes well, I’ll be back.” one of the best I’ve ever played.” 2011 2016 U.S. Championship U.S. Championship Gata Kamsky Fabiano Caruana

U.S. Women's Championship U.S. Women's Championship Anna Zatonskih Nazi Paikidze

U.S. Junior Championship U.S. Junior Championship Gregory Young Jeffery Xiong

Kings vs. Sinquefield Cup Hikaru Nakamura Wesley So Ben Finegold Kevin Cao Champions Showdown Jacek Stopa Viswanathan Anand Marc Arnold SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER Saint Louis International Match 2017 Hikaru Nakamura U.S. Championship Wesley So

U.S. Women's Championship 2012 Sabina Foisor U.S. Championship U.S. Junior Championship Hikaru Nakamura Awonder Liang

U.S. Women's Championship U.S. Girls' Junior Championship SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/LENNART OOTES Irina Krush Akshita Gorti

U.S. Junior Championship Match of the Millennials Marc Arnold Haik Martirosyan Maxime Vachier- Andrey Esipenko Clash of the Kings Aleksey Sarana Anton Smirnov Lagrave, 2017 Aryan Chopra SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER Praggnanandhaa Ramesh Babu 2013 Nodirbek Abdusattarov “Saint Louis is more than the Sinquefield Cup. Bibisara Assaubayeva Wesley So, 2016 U.S. Championship Nurgul Salimova There is so much going on. The Club is expanding Gata Kamsky Sinquefield Cup “I can’t really describe how I feel. It’s like a dream. and the Hall of Fame... I think it goes to show their U.S. Women's Championship Maxime Vachier-Lagrave SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER Irina Krush This is definitely my biggest win ever so far.” dedication to bring chess to the highest levels.” Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz U.S. Junior Championship Levon Aronian Champions Showdown Sinquefield Cup Hikaru Nakamura Magnus Carlsen Fabiano Caruana Wesley So Levon Aronian, 2015 Magnus Carlsen 2014 “I want to say that in the , I don’t U.S. Championship know anybody who sponsors chess with so much Gata Kamsky love and with the feeling that they don’t really U.S. Women's Championship Irina Krush want anything back from chess. So I want to thank U.S. Junior Championship Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield for their support, and Kayden Troff I want to say that for me, every time I come here, and Sinquefield Cup Fabiano Caruana

I see them, I’m very happy. I know that our game Showdown in Saint Louis is respected and loved, and will flourish as long as Hikaru Nakamura their work continues.”

SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER SAINT LOUIS CHESS CLUB/AUSTIN FULLER SP8 THE SINQUEFIELD EFFECT SPORTS APRIL 12, 2018 – FEBRUARY 24, 2019

SLU Adds Chess Team to Elite Sports Roster

The inaugural SLU team hopes to improve that score college. “The program grew was comprised of the follow- in the 2018 edition. Cemil rapidly, and Tech ing players: Can has played in numerous wasn't ready to grow with GM Dariusz Swiercz events, elevating his ranking the speed of the program," Sophomore, Poland, from International Master to said the coach, who founded Business Grandmaster. the Institute for GM Yaro Zherebukh The SLU team strength- Chess Excellence, known as Grad, USA, Applied ened its ranks by recruiting SPICE, in 2007. “Saint Louis Financial Economics IM Dorsa Derakhshani and today is the center of chess in GM Francesco Rambaldi GM in the America. It just seemed like a Freshman, , Fall of 2017. perfect fit.” Economics Saint Louis has attracted Texas Tech has since hired IM Cemil Can Ali Marandi some of the brightest chess former U.S. Champion and Freshman, , minds in the world. With 2018 U.S. Chess Hall of Computer Science Webster University and SLU, Fame Inductee Alexander Nozima Aripova the two highest rated chess Onischuk to be their new Junior, Uzbekistan, Biology teams are now in this city. coach, and their program is Improvement in the SLU The Webster team, which also rapidly progressing. As squad has been apparent was brought here from Texas collegiate chess competition based on the good results Tech by Susan Polgar in 2012, gets tighter and tighter, the COURTESY OF STEVE DOLAN that they have had since this has been amazingly success- Gorlocks and Billikens will tournament. SLU chess team ful, winning all of the Final be looking to recruit and BY ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ the Billikens made their as Princeton, Columbia and members have have repre- Fours that it has participated strengthen their ranks with Grandmaster, first major appearance in Carnegie Mellon. The Saint sented the Billikens in com- in. One of their top players, grandmasters from around Coach of the Saint Louis a collegiate team tourna- Louis region had a strong petitions worldwide. Dariusz GM Ray Robson, was part of the globe. University Chess Team ment by taking second place representation, includ- participated in the 2016 the 2016 American Olympiad in the 2016 Pan-American ing Saint Louis University, Chess Olympiad in the Polish team that took the gold Saint Louis University Intercollegiate Chess Washington University, squad, and had a strong medal in . (SLU) has added another Championship. Lindenwood University and showing in the Aeroflot The move from Texas Tech sport to its elite roster: chess. 60 teams participated in the overall winners, Webster Open in Moscow. Yaro scored to Webster was controver- GM Alejandro Ramirez Coached by Grandmaster the competition, includ- University, who are coached an excellent 50 percent in the sial, as Polgar uprooted her coaching at SLU. (GM) Alejandro Ramirez, ing elite universities such by GM Susan Polgar. 2017 U.S. Championship and students to the suburban