Saint Louis Chess Club To Host Clutch Chess International Tournament June 6-14, 2020

Media Contact:
Rebecca Buffington
Phone: (314) 277-3920
rbuffington@saintlouischessclub.org

Saint Louis Chess Club To Host Clutch Chess International Tournament June 6-14, 2020
The World’s Best Grandmasters Will Compete For A $265,000 Prize Fund - The Largest Prize Fund Ever Offered For An Online Chess Event

SAINT LOUIS, June 3, 2020 - Eight of the top international chess superstars are set to battle online from Saturday, June 6 - Sunday, June 14, 2020 in the second installment of Clutch Chess, hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club. With a $265,000 total prize fund available these competitors will have to utilize their resourcefulness and grit as the Clutch Chess format tests a player’s ability to perform under pressure in the most critical phase of a match.

“Clutch Chess International will continue its lively and fast-paced style” said Ashley. “As we saw in the first edition of Clutch Chess, this new format is sure to keep the players, commentators and especially the fans engaged until the very last move.”

The eight confirmed Grandmasters are Magnus Carlsen (reigning World Champion, Norway), Fabiano Caruana (World number 2, USA),  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (World number 5, France), Alexander Grischuk (World number 6, Russia), Levon Aronian (World number 7, Armenia), Wesley So (World number 8 and recent winner of Clutch Chess USA Tournament, USA), Leinier Dominguez (World number 6 in Rapid, USA) and Jeffery Xiong (USA number 5, USA).   

Clutch Chess International will begin with the quarterfinal matches of twelve games played over four days, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals. The first four games each day are scored using the traditional method of 1 point for a win and half a point for a draw. Games 5, 6, 11 and 12 - the final two games each day - are worth extra points and bonus prize money for a decisive result. The new scoring system means that a match isn’t over until the very end; with six points available in the last two games, anything can happen.  

“We are excited to showcase the second installment of Clutch Chess with an expanded international field. The prize money has been divided to encourage participants to go all and win the Clutch games. As we saw in Clutch Chess USA, Fabiano Caruana ended up taking home an additional $18,000 in clutch prizes alone,” said Tony Rich, Executive Director of the Saint Louis Chess Club. 

While 1st to 8th places will feature a normal prize breakdown, bonus money will be awarded to players who deliver a victory in the clutch games, totaling $10,000 per match. Any drawn clutch games roll the clutch prizes to the end of the match. If game 12 of the quarterfinals and semifinals are drawn, accumulated clutch money will roll over into games 11 and 12 of the finals. Ultimately the clutch money on the last day could be as much as $70,000!

The rounds will be streamed live daily at 1:00pm CT on uschesschamps.com from June 6-14 with expert commentary featuring GM’s Yasser Seirawan and Maurice Ashley and WGM Jennifer Shahade. 

About The Saint Louis Chess Club

The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.

Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.

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