Exciting Start to the 2024 Summer Chess Classic at Saint Louis Chess Center

The 2024 Summer Chess Classic kicked off on Tuesday, May 28 at the Saint Louis Chess Center (SLCC) with two ten-player Round Robins of classical chess. The tournament features a mix of familiar names in the A group and some rising stars and top female players in the B group.

In the A group, after three rounds of play, four players are tied for the lead with a “plus one” score. GM Andrew Hong stands out with three decisive games, including two time-scramble victories that helped him take an early lead. However, GM Christopher Yoo caught up with Hong in their third-round clash, while GM Ray Robson and GM Grigory Oparin also joined the leaders with impressive wins.

In the B group, 14-year-old GM Andy Woodward is leading the pack with a 2½/3 score. Woodward has been in top form, securing a solid draw in round one and following it up with consecutive wins.

Veteran players like GM Irina Krush and WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova may be sitting on even scores, but they have each played decisive games and have showcased their skills with model victories.

Chess enthusiasts can follow the live games on Chess.com and SLCC’s Twitch channel for more exciting coverage from this event. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2024 Summer Chess Classic.