Caruana and Yip Secure U.S. Chess Championships Again

In a remarkable display of skill, GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Carissa Yip repeated their titles at the 2025 U.S. Chess Championships held in St. Louis. Their victories highlighted their dominance in American chess.

Caruana Ties Fischer’s Record

Fabiano Caruana secured his fourth consecutive U.S. championship title, tying the legendary GM Bobby Fischer’s record. He earned a prize of $76,000 for his exceptional performance.

Yip’s Continued Success

Carissa Yip triumphed in the Women’s Championship for the third consecutive year, marking her fourth overall title. Her impressive performance earned her a reward of $45,000.

Event Overview

The 2025 U.S. Chess Championship and the Women’s Championship took place from October 12 to 24. A total of 12 players competed in single round-robin formats, showcasing their skills over multiple rounds.

Final Standings and Results

• Open Division: Six games ended in draws during the final round, leaving Caruana at the top.
• Women’s Division: Yip secured her title with an impressive finish of four wins in her last seven rounds.

Key Matches and Highlights

Noteworthy matches included Caruana’s draw with GM Levon Aronian, which was largely inconsequential given the standings. Meanwhile, GM Wesley So faced GM Grigoriy Oparin in an intense match but struggled to maintain momentum.

Yip’s final match against FM Thalia Cervantes saw her rebound from a difficult position, showcasing her tenacity and skill. “I think I’m still a little bit in shock,” Yip commented after securing her victory.

Personal Struggles

So revealed that personal challenges affected his performance. He acknowledged the impact of recent tragedies in the chess community on his mental state during the competition.

The event also saw strong performances from other competitors, such as IM Anna Sargsyan, who secured second place in the women’s division after overcoming a challenging lead.

Prize Fund Breakdown

The 2025 U.S. Chess Championships not only marked significant achievements for Caruana and Yip but also highlighted the ongoing evolution and resilience of the American chess scene. Both champions left a lasting impact that spectators will remember for years to come.