Family of Christopher Yoo Issues Statement Following Expulsion from U.S. Championships

The family of Christopher Yoo has released a heartfelt statement following his expulsion from the U.S. Championships in St. Louis. The 17-year-old grandmaster was removed from the tournament after an incident involving a female videographer.

In the statement, Christopher’s parents express their deep regret for their son’s actions and offer a sincere apology to the videographer who was affected by his outburst. They emphasize that the videographer did nothing to provoke Christopher and that his behavior was inexcusable.

Christopher himself is said to be devastated by his actions and has expressed genuine remorse for his behavior. He has apologized to the Executive Director of the Club and has sent a personal apology to the videographer through the same channel. The family acknowledges the need for therapy to ensure Christopher’s mental well-being and to prevent any future incidents.

The incident occurred after Christopher’s loss to GM Fabiano Caruana, during which he allegedly hit a member of the video crew. He has been charged with fourth-degree assault and his case will be handled in the juvenile justice system. His games have been annulled and his US Chess membership has been suspended pending further investigation.

The family’s statement concludes with the promise of a personal apology from Christopher himself. The chess community is left reeling from this unexpected turn of events, and many are hoping for a positive resolution for all involved.