Grandmaster Mikhail Antipov won the 2026 Saint Louis Masters with 7.5/9, claiming the $25,000 top prize. He overtook early leader Fabiano Caruana in the final round by beating Andy Woodward, while Caruana drew Francesco Sonis. Young players shone with several norms in the nine-round Swiss event.
The 2026 Saint Louis Masters wrapped up at the St. Louis Chess Club on March 1 after nine rounds in a Swiss system with classical time control (90 minutes + 30-second increment). Part of the 2026-2027 FIDE Circuit, it contributes to 2028 Candidates qualification. The $100,000 prize fund event featured 70 players.
As covered earlier after four rounds—where Caruana, Lorenzo Lodici, and Vasif Durarbayli led with 3.5/9—the tournament intensified. Lodici reached 5/5 by beating Durarbayli in round five (15.Ng5!), but drew Woodward and Caruana before losing to Antipov in round eight (French Defense).
Antipov, starting modestly (2/5), won his last four games. Round seven saw Caruana beat 15-year-old Woodward (Ruy Lopez, 15.g4!? novelty). The leaders drew earlier but clashed indirectly in the finale, both with Black.
Antipov capitalized on Woodward's errors (11.e4?!, 19.Ra5?) for the win. Caruana held a Sicilian edge vs. Sonis but drew the pawn endgame, finishing second ($15,000). Lodici took third ($8,000) after beating Gergely Kantor.
Highlights: Tani Adewumi's first GM norm (6/9, drew Andrew Hong); Carissa Yip's women's prize ($2,500, beat Benjamin Bok); Rose Atwell's second women's ($1,500) and fourth IM norm. Anthony Atanasov and Liam Putnam earned GM norms (5.5/9); Atanasov's 194-move draw vs. Dimitar Mardov lasted over six hours.
The top three finished clear in this competitive field.
