The Frank P. Samford, Jr. Chess Fellowship Announces 2024 Fellows

The prestigious Frank P. Samford, Jr. Chess Fellowship has announced its 2024 Fellows, marking its thirty eighth annual award. Grandmasters Abhimanyu Mishra, Andy Woodward, Christopher Yoo, Andrew Hong, Bryce Tiglon, International Masters Carissa Yip, Alice Lee, and Gulruhbegim Tohirjonova have been selected for this honor. The Samford Fellowship is considered the most important chess fellowship in the United States, having awarded over two and a half million dollars in nearly four decades.

The Fellowship, established in 1987, has proven to be very beneficial for its recipients. The total value of the Fellowships has increased over the years and now stands at $70,000 annually. Each Fellow will receive a different amount, with Mishra receiving $20,000, Woodward $10,000, and the others receiving varying amounts. The winners’ terms began on June 1, 2024.

The selection of the Fellows was made by the Samford Fellowship Committee, which includes Paul Samford, Grandmaster Yury Shulman, and International Master John Donaldson. The winners were chosen based on their chess talent, work ethic, dedication, and accomplishments. The Fellowship is administered by the U.S. Chess Trust with valuable services provided by Al Lawrence.

The Samford Chess Fellowship was created by the late Frank P. Samford, Jr., a prominent figure in Birmingham, Alabama. The Fellowship has produced many strong Grandmasters, members of the United States Olympiad team, and US Champions over the years. Generous contributions from the late Mrs. Virginia Samford and the Torchmark Corporation support the Fellowship.

The dedication, creativity, and achievement that marked Mr. Frank P. Samford, Jr.’s life are exemplified in the Samford Fellowship. The winners join a prestigious list of past recipients who have gone on to achieve great success in the world of chess. For the full historic list dating back to 1987, please visit the U.S. Chess Trust’s website.