Recap of the 2024 Caveman Chess Festival at Hilton Chicago/Northbrook

The Caveman Chess Festival took place at the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook hotel from July 12 to 14, featuring a variety of national championship events. The festival included the U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Junior Open, U.S. Blind Open, and the Caveman Medior Open for players aged 21 to 50.

One of the highlights of the festival was the U.S. Senior Open, where GM Alex Fishbein and Dmitry Gurevich tied for first and second place. Fishbein secured a spot in the 2025 U.S. Senior Championship with his performance. Additionally, WIM Alexey Root earned a spot in the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Championship.

In the U.S. Junior Open, GM Awonder Liang started strong but ultimately finished a half-point behind FM Tugstumur Yesuntumur, who claimed the title with a 5½/6 score. However, due to eligibility requirements, it seems there may not be a qualifier from this year’s U.S. Junior Open to the 2025 U.S. Junior Championship.

The festival also featured the Caveman Medior Open, where GM Alex Fishbein’s son, Mitch, tied for first place alongside Justin Storn and Zachary Nudo. The U.S. Blind Open Championship saw Jessica Lauser emerge as the six-time champion.

Overall, the Caveman Chess Festival provided an exciting platform for chess enthusiasts to showcase their skills and compete for prestigious titles. Stay tuned for more updates on qualifying spots and regulations for future championships.