SLU Dominates Mizzou in Collegiate Chess League Spring 2025 Finals

In a thrilling rematch of last season’s Collegiate Chess League (CCL) finals, St. Louis University (SLU) emerged victorious over the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in dominant fashion. The much-anticipated showdown between the two powerhouse teams ended with SLU securing a resounding 10-2 victory over Mizzou.

SLU’s lineup of Grandmasters Aryan Chopra, Viktor Gazik, Robby Kevlishvili, and Emin Ohanyan proved to be too strong for Mizzou to handle. Despite Mizzou’s defending champion status and lineup of talented Grandmasters Aryan Tari, Mikhail Antipov, Luka Budisavljevic, and Isik Can, SLU showcased their superior skills and strategic prowess throughout the match.

The first round set the tone for the intense competition, with SLU taking a narrow lead of 2.5-1.5. Gazik’s impressive win from a losing position against Can proved to be a pivotal moment in the match, swinging the momentum in SLU’s favor.

As the match progressed, SLU continued to dominate, winning three games in the second round to extend their lead to 6-2. Ohanyan’s victory over Antipov further solidified SLU’s commanding position.

In the final round, SLU sealed their victory by winning every game, ultimately clinching the championship with a final score of 10-2. The team’s coordinated preparation and strategic gameplay, including the use of the Philidor Defense by Chopra and Gazik, proved to be key factors in their success.

Congratulations to St. Louis University on their impressive win in the Collegiate Chess League finals! The entire team and their coaches deserve recognition for their outstanding performance throughout the season.

The Collegiate Chess League continues to showcase the exceptional talent and competitive spirit of college chess players. Fans can look forward to more exciting matches and fierce competition in the upcoming seasons.