Wikipedia

Cairns Cup

The Cairns Cup is an annual round robin chess tournament, founded in 2019, for the leading women's chess players held in St. Louis, Missouri in the United States.[1] The tournament was named after St Louis Chess Club co-founder and World Chess Hall of Fame member Dr Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield.[2][3]

Cairns Cup
Tournament information
SportChess
LocationSaint Louis Chess Club
Month playedJune (since 2023)
Established2019
Tournament
format(s)
Round Robin
Purse$200,000 (2024)
BroadcastYouTube
Current champion
China Tan Zhongyi (2024)

Venue

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St Louis Chess Club in 2015
See also: Saint Louis Chess Club

The Cairns Cup is hosted at the Saint Louis Chess Club located in the Central West End in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. The venue was funded by multi-millionaire Rex Sinquefield, and opened on July 17, 2008.[4][5]

Champions

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Year Winner Runner-up 3rd place Ref
2019   Valentina Gunina   Alexandra Kosteniuk   Irina Krush [6]
2020   Humpy Koneru   Ju Wenjun   Alexandra Kosteniuk
  Mariya Muzychuk		 [7]
2022 Cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions [8]
2023   Anna Zatonskih   Alexandra Kosteniuk   Bella Khotenashvili
  Irina Krush		 [9]
2024   Tan Zhongyi   Anna Muzychuk   Alexandra Kosteniuk
  Harika Dronavalli
  Nana Dzagnidze
  Mariya Muzychuk		 [10]

Tournaments

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2019

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Valentina Gunina, victor of the first Cairns Cup in 2019

The 2019 Cairns Cup was the inaugural event hosted in February 2019. The event featured 10 players, in a round-robin format. The prize fund for the event was $150,000.[2]

Results

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The event was won by Valentina Gunina of Russia.[11][12]

Place Player Crosstable Results
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
1   Valentina Gunina (RUS) * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 7
2   Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) ½ * ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 6½
3   Irina Krush (USA) ½ ½ * 1 1 1 1 0 0 ½ 5½
4   Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) 0 ½ 0 * ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 5
5   Dronavalli Harika (IND) ½ ½ 0 ½ * 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 4½
6   Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) ½ 0 0 ½ 0 * 1 ½ 1 1 4½
7   Anna Zatonskih (USA) 0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 * 1 1 ½ 3½
8   Marie Sebag (FRA) 0 0 1 0 ½ ½ 0 * ½ ½ 3
9   Bela Khotenashvili (GEO) 0 0 1 0 ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 3
10   Elisabeth Pähtz (GER) 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 * 2½

2020

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Humpy Koneru won her first Cairns Cup title in 2020.

The second edition of the Cairns Cup was held in February 2020. The prize fund was increased to $180,000.[13] 2019 winner, Valentina Gunina, returned to defend her title, ultimately finishing 10th. Humpy Koneru of India won the title.[7][14][15]

Results

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Place Player Crosstable Results[16]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
1   Humpy Koneru (IND) * ½ 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 6
2   Ju Wenjun (CHN) ½ * 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 5½
3   Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) 0 0 * 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 1 5
4   Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) 1 ½ 0 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 5
5   Dronavalli Harika (IND) ½ ½ 1 ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 4½
6   Kateryna Lagno (RUS) ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 0 4½
7   Irina Krush (USA) ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ * 0 1 0 4
8   Carissa Yip (USA) 0 1 0 ½ ½ 0 1 * 0 1 4
9   Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) 0 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 1 * 1 4
10   Valentina Gunina (RUS) 0 0 0 0 1 ½ 1 0 0 * 2½

2023

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Anna Zatonskih won the third Cairns Cup in 2023.

The Cairns Cup returned in 2023 following a two year hiatus. Only nine players' results were counted in the tournament, as 2020 champion Humpy Koneru withdrew shortly before the halfway point.[17] The tournament was won by Anna Zatonskih representing the United States. Alexandra Kosteniuk finished in 2nd, her third top-3 finish in the Cairns Cup, representing Switzerland for the first time. Irina Krush and Bella Khotenashvili shared third place.[18][19]

Results

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Place Player Crosstable results[20]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total
1   Anna Zatonskih (USA) * 1 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 6
2   Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) 0 * 1 1 0 1 1 ½ ½ 5
3   Irina Krush (USA) ½ 0 * 0 1 1 ½ ½ 1 4½
4   Bella Khotenashvili (GEO) 0 0 1 * 1 ½ 1 0 1 4½
5   Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) ½ 1 0 0 * ½ 0 1 1 4
6   Harika Dronavalli (IND) ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 1 ½ ½ 3½
7   Elisabeth Pähtz (GER) ½ 0 ½ 0 1 0 * 1 ½ 3½
8   Gunay Mammadzada (AZE) 0 ½ ½ 1 0 ½ 0 * ½ 3
9   Zhansaya Abdumalik (KAZ) 0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ * 2
10   Humpy Koneru (IND) Withdrew from event

2024

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Tan Zhongyi was the 2024 Cairns Cup winner

The 2024 Cairns Cup began on June 12.[21] In May, the ten players for the tournament were confirmed, including 2023 champion Anna Zatonskih. 2024 will also be the first time Spain has had a representative in the tournament. The chief arbiter is Australian chess player Anastasia Sorokina.[22] The prize fund for 2024 has risen to $200,000.[23]

2024 Cairns Cup Entries[24]
Title Name FIDE Rating Federation
GM Tan Zhongyi 2540  
GM Mariya Muzychuk 2510  
GM Nana Dzagnidze 2506  
GM Anna Muzychuk 2505  
GM Harika Dronavalli 2503  
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk 2501  
GM Elisabeth Pähtz 2457  
GM Irina Krush 2415  
IM Alice Lee 2368  
IM Anna Zatonskih 2331  

Tournament Review

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Prior to the first official day of play, the players competed in an Ultimate Moves battle of team chess, with players rotating in and out of blitz games. Team A, featuring Tan, Anna Muzychuk, Harika, Kosteniuk, Lee, and Zatonskih, won the ten-game match 5½-1½. Georgian GM Nona Gaprindashvili joined "Team B" as a special tournament guest.[25]

Day one of the event saw former World Champions Tan Zhongyi, Mariya Muzychuk, and Alexandra Kosteniuk all record victories. Harika Dronavalli and Nana Dzagnidze played out a 126 move draw.[26] Day two saw victories for Dzagnidze and Dronavalli, taking them both to joint first alongside Zhongi and Mariya Muzkchuk.[27] In round three, all matches were drawn aside Swiss GM Alexandra Kosteniuk taking victory over Nana Dzagnidze. This saw Kosteniuk join the leaders on 2, with Dzagnidze dropping back to T-5 alongside Anna Muzychuk and Irina Krush on a total score of 1½.[28] On the fourth day, Tan Zhongyi's 20 move victory over defending champion Anna Zatonskih took her into the overall lead on a score of 3. Both Drovanelli and Mariya Muzychuk drew, whilst Kosteniuk lost to Alice Lee.[29] Day five saw all matches end in draws, the leaderboard remaining the same as each player added a half point to their totals.[30]

Following a rest day, the players returned for round six, where Kosteniuk scored a decisive victory over Mariya Muzychuk taking her to an overall score of 3½, a half point behind sole leader Zhongyi.[31] Round seven saw more close games, whilst Zhongyi took the win against Pähtz, retaining her lead, a further four players are also in contention for victory. Kosteniuk won again, and Mariya Muzychuk and Nana Dzagnidze also scored wins over Alice Lee and Irina Krush respectively.[32] In round eight, Anna Muzychuk took a timely victory against Kosteniuk taking her to a five-way tie for second place on a score of 4½. Lee beat Zatonskih, leaving the latter at the bottom of the leaderboard with 1½ points total.[33] In round nine, Zhongyi completed a draw against Kosteniuk to secure victory of the 2024 Cairns Cup with a total score of 6. Anna Muzychuk beat Alice Lee to take 2nd place, whilst 3rd was a four way tie between Kosteniuk, Drovanalli, Mariya Muzychuk and Nana Dzaginze. Alice Lee and Irina Krush were tied for 7th place at 4 points. Elisabeth Pähtz and Anna Zatonskih finished 9th place and 10th place, respectively. [10]

Results

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Place Player Crosstable results
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
1   Tan Zhongyi (CHN) * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 6
2   Anna Muzychuk (UKR) ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 5½
3   Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) ½ ½ * ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 5
4   Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 5
5   Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) ½ 0 1 1 * 0 ½ 0 1 1 5
6   Harika Dronavalli (IND) ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ ½ 5
7   Irina Krush (USA) ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ 4
8   Alice Lee (USA) 0 0 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ * ½ 1 4
9   Elisabeth Pähtz (GER) 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ * ½ 3½
10   Anna Zatonskih (USA) 0 ½ 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ * 2

References

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  1. ^ "Cairns' Cup, Elite Women's Event, Announces Field". US Chess. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "2019 Cairns Cup". uschesschamps.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield". worldchesshof.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. ^ Fagone, Jason. "The Queen's New Gambit: Chess as a Great American Spectator Sport". Wired Magazine. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  5. ^ Our Beginnings. Archived April 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  6. ^ Doggers, Peter (16 February 2019). "Gunina Wins Inaugural Cairns Cup". Chess.com. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  7. ^ a b Doggers, Peter (17 February 2020). "Humpy Koneru Wins Cairns Cup". Chess.com. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Third Annual Cairns Cup Postponed Due to New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions". uschesschamps.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  9. ^ West, Vanessa (13 June 2023). "Saga Of Zatonskih vs. Krush, Kosteniuk Wins 2nd: 'I have 6 out of 9!'". Chess.com. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Tan Draws With Kosteniuk, Wins Cairns Cup". chess.com. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Cairns Cup 2019". theweekinchess.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Valentina Gunina wins inaugural Cairns Cup". chessbase.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  13. ^ "2020 Cairns Cup". uschesschamps.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Cairns Cup 2019". theweekinchess.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Humpy Koneru wins second edition of the Cairns Cup". chessbase.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  16. ^ "2020 Cairns Cup Results". chess-results.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Cairns Cup: Khotenashvili wins again, Humpy withdraws". chessbase.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Anna Zatonskih wins 2023 Cairns Cup". fide.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Cairns Cup: Alexandra Kosteniuk clinches second place". chessbase.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  20. ^ "2023 Cairns Cup Results". chess-results.com. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  21. ^ "2024 Cairns Cup Results". fide.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  22. ^ "2024 Cairns Cup". fide.com. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  23. ^ "2024 Cairns Cup". uschesschamps.com. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  24. ^ "2Top Female Chess Players to Compete in Cairns Cup in Saint Louis". yahoo.com. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  25. ^ "Cairns Cup 2024 begins in St. Louis". fide.com. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Wins For Former World Champions Tan, Kosteniuk, Mariya Muzychuk". chess.com. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Harika Forgoes Castling In Victory Over 'Chess Queen' Kosteniuk". chess.com.
  28. ^ "Kosteniuk Topples Dzagnidze, Joins Leaders". chess.com.
  29. ^ "Tan Zhongyi Sole Leader After Quick Victory". chess.com.
  30. ^ "Lee Miraculously Saves Game After 5-Hour Marathon". chess.com.
  31. ^ "Kosteniuk Records Fifth Decisive Result, Moves Into Second". chess.com.
  32. ^ "Chaos Reigns As Tan, Kosteniuk, Muzychuk, Dzagnidze Win". chess.com.
  33. ^ "Anna Muzychuk With Black Beats Kosteniuk, Joins Five-Way Tie For Second". chess.com.


 

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