2024 Cairns Cup: A Star-Studded Lineup Ready for Battle

The highly anticipated fourth Cairns Cup is set to kick off on Thursday, June 13, at the Saint Louis Chess Club. The tournament features a star-studded lineup of ten players, including seven in the top 25 of FIDE’s June top players list. Among the participants are eight-time U.S. Champion GM Irina Krush, reigning American Cup winner IM Alice Lee, and defending champion IM Anna Zatonskih.

Chinese GM Tan Zhongyi, fresh off her victory in the 2024 FIDE Women’s Candidates, is expected to be a strong contender. However, last year’s champion Zatonskih proved that ratings aren’t everything by winning the tournament as the lowest-rated player.

The field also includes players from various countries, such as Ukrainian GMs Anna and Mariya Muzychuk, Indian GM Harika Dronavalli, German GM Elisabeth Paehtz, Georgian GM Nana Dzagnidze, and Swiss GM Alexandra Kosteniuk.

Before the tournament officially begins, the players engaged in an “Ultimate Moves” team chess battle, with Team A emerging victorious. The opening ceremony featured special guest Georgian GM Nona Gaprindashvili and the announcement of the Cairns Chess Queens Award, a $100,000 prize for up to five American women who achieve the title of Grandmaster within the next five years.

The games are set to begin today at 1 p.m. CDT, with live commentary provided by GM Yasser Seirawan and IMs Nazi Paikidze and Jovanka Houska. Stay tuned for updates on Chess Life Online as the tournament progresses.