Exciting Start to 2025 Champions Showdown: The Kings in St. Louis, Missouri

GM Wesley So had an impressive start on day one of the 2025 Champions Showdown: The Kings, a three-day exhibition event in St. Louis, Missouri. So, along with five other American grandmasters, is competing in rapid, blitz, and semi-classical chess for a total prize pool of $250,000.

The event, held just ahead of the American Cup, has garnered attention as St. Louis continues to solidify its reputation as the Capital of American chess. The World Chess Hall of Fame is hosting this brand new tournament, adding to the city’s rich chess history.

So’s strong performance on day one saw him emerge as the leader, with victories in both the rapid and semi-classical games. His strategic play and impressive form have set the stage for an exciting competition in the coming days.

The unique format of the event, where pairings are determined by prize money earned, adds an element of unpredictability to the matchups. With each round starting with the fastest time control, players must adapt quickly and showcase their skills across different formats.

Other notable performances on day one include Fabiano Caruana’s decisive win over Hikaru Nakamura in the semi-classical game and Ray Robson’s comeback victory against Leinier Dominguez. The intense competition and high stakes have set the stage for an exciting showdown in the remaining days of the event.

Chess enthusiasts can follow the action as day two kicks off on Wednesday, March 5, at 1 p.m. ET. With a total prize pool of $250,000 up for grabs, the Champions Showdown: The Kings promises to deliver thrilling chess battles and intense rivalries as the grandmasters vie for victory.