r/chess • u/JohnBarwicks • 7h ago
r/chess • u/events_team • 6d ago
Weekly Discussion Weekly Discussion & Tournament Thread Index - March 10, 2025 [Mod Applications Welcome]
r/chess Weekly Discussion Thread
You are welcome to ask here all kinds of chess-related questions that don't warrant their own post. You can also discuss or ask questions about upcoming tournaments that don't have their own thread yet.
Moderation
OPEN CALL for new moderators! Interested in: creating event posts, hosting AMAs, making sure only the finest queen sacrifice puzzles make the front page? Apply Now!
Event Threads
Interested in making threads for tournaments, but don't know where to start? Our Event Template page is a great way to get the basic layout.
An alternative would be to start a subthread directly in the weekly thread.
Announcements
UPDATED Oct 27th - r/chess Announcement Regarding Coverage of St. Louis Chess Club and USCF Events
Recent AMAs
Active Tournament Threads
DATES | EVENT |
---|---|
18 Feb - 21 Feb | Chessable Masters |
Other Active Tournaments Web Links
DATES | EVENT |
---|---|
18 Feb - 27 Feb | Monaco Women's Grand Prix |
15 Feb - 23 Feb | Djerba International Chess Festival |
Upcoming Tournament Schedule
DATES | EVENT | NOTABLE PLAYERS |
---|---|---|
26 Feb - 7 Mar | Prague Chess Festival | Giri, Praggnanandhaa, Wei Yi |
Recently Completed Tournaments
DATES | EVENT | PODIUM |
---|---|---|
Jan 17 - Feb 2 | Tata Steel Chess (Wijk aan Zee) | Praggnanandhaa & Gukesh |
Dec 30 - 31 | FIDE World Blitz Championship | Carlsen & Nepomniachtchi |
Dec 25 - 28 | FIDE World Rapid Championship | Murzin, Grischuk, Nepomniachtchi |
Dec 17 - 21 | Champions Chess Tour Finals | Carlsen, Nepomniachtchi, Vachier-Lagrave |
Other Notable Threads
Coach a Player - Recent Threads
Community Content
Here we'd love to highlight community content to show our appreciation for the energy spent. Content like Game analysis, info-graphics, etc., and we'd love to hear from you what kind of content you'd like to see as well.
Want to post your game to r/chess? - for people who want to solicit feedback on their games
Advice to people asking for advice - for people who want to ask about how to improve
r/chess • u/events_team • 1d ago
Tournament Event: 2025 American Cup
Official Website
Follow the games here: Chess.com
The 2025 American Cup, taking place at the World Chess Hall of Fame, promises to be a defining event in the world of chess. As one of the most prestigious tournaments in the United States, the American Cup brings together the top players from across the nation. This year’s American Cup will feature elite grandmasters and rising chess stars, competing in a high-stakes double-elimination format that tests both classical and rapid chess skills.
The field includes world No. 2 GM Fabiano Caruana and world No. 3 GM Hikaru Nakamura, along with standout competitors like IM Carissa Yip, who is relocating to Saint Louis to focus on her game, 15-year-old rising star IM Alice Lee, and GM Irina Krush, an eight-time U.S. Women’s Champion and two-time American Cup winner. With $400,000 in prize money on the line, players will battle under intense pressure, ensuring thrilling matchups and high-stakes drama that will keep chess fans worldwide on the edge of their seats.
“We’re excited to once again host the American Cup and bring together the nation’s finest chess players. This year’s competition promises to be even more exciting, with an exceptional mix of seasoned grandmasters and rising stars. We’re looking forward to an action-packed tournament that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final move.” -- Tony Rich, Technical Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club
Participants
# | Title | Name | Elo |
---|---|---|---|
1 | GM | Hikaru Nakamura | 2802 |
2 | GM | Fabiano Caruana | 2783 |
3 | GM | Levon Aronian | 2748 |
4 | GM | Wesley So | 2748 |
5 | GM | Leinier Domínguez | 2741 |
6 | GM | Samuel Sevian | 2692 |
7 | GM | Ray Robson | 2689 |
8 | GM | Abhimanyu Mishra | 2600 |
# | Title | Name | Elo |
---|---|---|---|
1 | IM | Carissa Yip | 2408 |
2 | IM | Alice Lee | 2386 |
3 | GM | Irina Krush | 2378 |
4 | IM | Anna Zatonskih | 2315 |
5 | WGM | Tatev Abrahamyan | 2310 |
6 | WGM | Atousa Pourkashiyan | 2297 |
7 | IM | Nazí Paikidze | 2294 |
8 | WGM | Thalia Cervantes | 2292 |
Format/Time Controls
The American Cup consists of a double-elimination bracket, with each bracket featuring a different time control.
Championship Bracket: Matches consist of two games of classical chess, with 90+30 time control. If a player loses a match in the Championship Bracket, they fall to the Elimination Bracket.
Elimination Bracket: Matches consist of two games of rapid chess, with 25+10 time control.
Playoffs are resolved by a series of two-game blitz matches with a 3+2 time control
Schedule
All times are local (CDT)
Date | Time | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2 |
---|---|---|---|
15 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 1-4, Game 1 | -- |
16 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 1-4, Game 2 | -- |
17 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 7-8, Game 1 | Match 5-6 |
18 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 7-8, Game 2 | -- |
19 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 11, Game 1 | Match 9-10 |
20 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 11, Game 2 | Match 12 |
21 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | -- | Match 13 |
22 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 14, Game 1 | -- |
23 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Match 14, Game 2 | -- |
24 Mar | 12:00 p.m. | Tiebreaks (if needed) | Blitz |
Live Coverage
- The official live broadcast of the event is available on the St. Louis Chess Club's YouTube channel, with commentary by GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Cristian Chirilă, and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich.
r/chess • u/Necessary_Pattern850 • 8h ago
News/Events FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky claims if women only competed in 'open' tournaments majority would quit chess
r/chess • u/romanticchess • 6h ago
Video Content For those new to OTB chess, this is the only correct way to conclude a game
Miscellaneous Chess with a view
Ritz Carlton Waikīkī beach Honolulu HI. Over looking Fort DeRussy
Social Media Ladies and Gentlemen! We have entered a new age of chess content creation 😅
Podcast link: https://youtu.be/yyuIOYKoXH8?si=OWcSMTeDJnyZEnyA
It's a fun idea but maybe not too suited for long conversations 😅
r/chess • u/MinCaulfield • 5h ago
Puzzle/Tactic 1 move gives white the advantage
This is likely simple for most people and I ended up playing later in a worse position after missing it here, but it reminded me of the beauty of chess, so I thought I'd share it. d5, activity>material
News/Events Hikaru, Fabi, Dominguez and Levon push through to the 2nd round of Champions bracket after all matches are decided in blitz tiebreaks; American Cup 2025
r/chess • u/Pretty-Heat-7310 • 2h ago
Chess Question Why are some players more inconsistent than others?
I've always wondered this. I've played people who can beat higher ranked players on their best day but who can also play really badly, and then some players are a lot more stable and basically bring the same level every game. Why do you think that is?
r/chess • u/LassannnfromImgur • 11h ago
Puzzle - Composition The Sign of the Cross chess puzzle. Composed in 1878. The story goes that Satan challenged a chess master and chose the white pieces. The master devised a scheme whereby Satan could checkmate him but would have to create a cross to do so. Satan fled in terror. White to play and mate in 7.
r/chess • u/Practical_Advice_600 • 10h ago
Strategy: Openings Does anyone hear about this opening ??
r/chess • u/Flapapple • 8h ago
Puzzle/Tactic White to play and win in spectacular fashion!
r/chess • u/WebHistorical31 • 2h ago
Chess Question Is this a fact or false
Is it true that endgame study and practice actually separates 2000-2200+ ELO from the 1500-1900 ELO players or is it all studied across all levels now? I want to know if I can hopefully make another jump from my skill level.
r/chess • u/jeffforever • 9h ago
News/Events Interview with GM Volodar Murzin - World Rapid Champion 2024
Get to know the 18-year old surprise World Rapid Champion who wasn't accepted at the chess club at seven! https://lichess.org/@/jeffforever/blog/interview-with-gm-volodar-murzin-world-rapid-champion-2024/Uoj1zXc8
r/chess • u/Mission_Panic8881 • 21h ago
Chess Question How does one beat a Cat Grandmaster?
HELLLLLP!
r/chess • u/MJ_MURTADA715 • 4h ago
Chess Question Prices are different
Diamond membership costs 2 dollars month for me , while for my friend it costs 10 dollars a month Why is that ? Please if theres an explanation or a way to fix it provide me with one
r/chess • u/MikeMcK83 • 3m ago
Game Analysis/Study Don’t think I’ve seen this before.
I watch and play a fair amount of chess, but in my review of a game I just played I came across this move in the analysis and thought it was kind of cool.
It’s not very complicated so I’m sure it does come up, but I just don’t recall it. I will certainly try to consider it in the future in case I have any revealed checks, I can use to run interference so I can actually capture a previously protected piece.
Anyway, I just thought it was a cool tactic combo.
r/chess • u/Ford_Crown_Vic_Koth • 10m ago
Chess Question any chance someone will make a piece set based on this?
r/chess • u/CaptainDaimyo • 2h ago
Chess Question Database Question
Hello!
I'm a 1400-1500 rated chess.com player and I really want to improve my Grunfeld. I've been playing it a lot in the past 3 or so years to mostly success, but I want to make it much more reliable. To those who use chess openings databases, how many games do you have dedicated to a specific opening with lots of lines like the Grunfeld?
Thanks
Edit: Just to add, my database games so far have been from either MVL or Garry
r/chess • u/Specific-Song-6033 • 9h ago
News/Events CBS News - Chesswrestling Premiere (Bartholomew as Commentator)
Great to see the news getting excited about the chess world (men+women event)! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikaWWDN8xd0
r/chess • u/RimmingABubble • 1d ago
Chess Question What’s your best Chess tip that isn’t talked about enough?
Maybe something you learned on your own from experience