The 2026 Cairns Cup will take place from August 8 to 21, 2026, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. The tournament will be hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club, one of the world’s leading chess venues.
The Cairns Cup is an elite women’s classical chess invitational. The 2026 edition features 10 of the world’s strongest women players competing in a nine-round round-robin format.
The event is the sixth edition of the Cairns Cup and has a total prize fund of $250,000, the largest in the tournament’s history. The tournament will run alongside the 2026 Sinquefield Cup at the Saint Louis Chess Club.
📌 Event Details
| 🏆 Tournament | 2026 Cairns Cup |
| 📅 Event Dates | August 8–21, 2026 |
| ♟️ Tournament Rounds | August 10–19, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Saint Louis, Missouri, USA |
| 🏟️ Venue | Saint Louis Chess Club – 4663 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Saint Louis Chess Club |
| ♟️ Format | 10-player classical round-robin |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 👥 Players | 10 |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $250,000 |
| 🕛 Round Start Time | 12:00 PM daily |
| 🏁 Playoff | August 20, 2026, if needed |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Maya Myers |
| ⚖️ Deputy Arbiter | IA Karen Pennock |
| 🎙️ Commentary | WGM Almira Skripchenko and IM Nazi Paikidze |
| 🎟️ Spectator Tickets | Available through the official ticket page |
| 🌐 Official Event Page | https://saintlouischessclub.org/event/2026-cairns-cup/ |
| 🎟️ Ticket Page | https://register.stlchess.club/2026-sinquefield-and-cairns-cup-tickets |
| 📺 Broadcast | Saint Louis Chess Club YouTube and Twitch channels |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The 2026 Cairns Cup uses a classical round-robin format.
There are 10 players and nine rounds. Each player faces every other participant once.
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| ♟️ System | Round-robin |
| 👥 Players | 10 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Classical chess |
| 🕛 Round Start Time | 12:00 PM daily |
| 🏁 Playoff | August 20, if needed |
| 🎥 Live Commentary | Saint Louis Chess Club broadcast team |
The exact daily pairings will be published by the organizer during the tournament.
🏆 Prize Fund
The 2026 Cairns Cup has a total prize fund of $250,000.
| Prize Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 💰 Total Prize Fund | $250,000 |
| 🏆 Main Award | Cairns Cup title |
| ♟️ Format | Classical round-robin |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 👥 Players | 10 |
The detailed prize distribution has not been separately published on the official event page.
♟️ Sections / Groups
The Cairns Cup is a single-section elite women’s invitational tournament.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Main Event | 10-player women’s classical round-robin |
| ♟️ Entry Type | Invitational |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 🏁 Competition Goal | Cairns Cup title |
👥 Players
The official field includes 10 invited players.
| Title | Player | Federation | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| IM | Carissa Yip | United States | 2458 |
| GM | Humpy Koneru | India | 2524 |
| GM | Tan Zhongyi | China | 2517 |
| GM | Anna Muzychuk | Ukraine | 2529 |
| GM | Bibisara Assaubayeva | Kazakhstan | 2538 |
| GM | Divya Deshmukh | India | 2490 |
| GM | Alexandra Kosteniuk | Switzerland | 2508 |
| IM | Stavroula Tsolakidou | Greece | 2432 |
| GM | Vaishali Rameshbabu | India | 2496 |
| IM | Alice Lee | United States | 2421 |
The ratings listed above are the ratings shown on the official Saint Louis Chess Club event page.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 8 | — | Player arrival |
| Sunday, August 9 | — | Players meeting |
| Sunday, August 9 | — | Private opening dinner |
| Monday, August 10 | 12:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Tuesday, August 11 | 12:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Wednesday, August 12 | 12:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Thursday, August 13 | 12:00 PM | Round 4 |
| Friday, August 14 | 12:00 PM | Round 5 |
| Saturday, August 15 | — | Rest day |
| Sunday, August 16 | 12:00 PM | Round 6 |
| Monday, August 17 | 12:00 PM | Round 7 |
| Tuesday, August 18 | 12:00 PM | Round 8 |
| Wednesday, August 19 | 12:00 PM | Round 9 |
| Thursday, August 20 | 12:00 PM | Playoff, if needed |
| Thursday, August 20 | — | Private closing dinner |
| Friday, August 21 | — | Player departure |
All playing rounds are scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.
📝 Registration
The Cairns Cup is an elite invitational tournament. Player registration is not open to the public.
Spectators can purchase daily passes for the Cairns Cup and Sinquefield Cup. Each day pass provides access to both tournament halls on the selected day.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Adult Pass, Ages 13+ | $25 per day |
| 🎟️ Adult Pass, Saint Louis Chess Club Member | $20 per day |
| 🧒 Child Pass, Ages 12 and Under | $12 per day |
| 🧒 Child Pass, Saint Louis Chess Club Member | $10 per day |
Each pass includes tournament hall access, live grandmaster commentary, and complimentary food, snacks, and beverages.
Seating inside the tournament hall is not guaranteed. Access is standing room only, and spectator numbers are limited.
Ticket Page: https://register.stlchess.club/2026-sinquefield-and-cairns-cup-tickets
🏛️ Organizer
The Saint Louis Chess Club organizes and hosts the 2026 Cairns Cup.
The club is a major international chess venue and a leading center for elite chess events, chess education, scholastic programmes, community chess, and professional chess broadcasting.
The Cairns Cup is named in honor of Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, co-founder of the Saint Louis Chess Club. The tournament reflects the club’s long-term commitment to supporting and promoting women’s chess.
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Organizer | Saint Louis Chess Club |
| 📍 Address | 4663 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA |
| 📞 Phone | +1 314 361 2437 |
| 🌐 Website | https://saintlouischessclub.org/ |
| 🌐 Event Page | https://saintlouischessclub.org/event/2026-cairns-cup/ |
| 📺 YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@STLChessClub |
| 📺 Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/stlchessclub |
📍 Venue
Saint Louis Chess Club – 4663 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA.
The venue is located in the Central West End neighborhood of Saint Louis, directly across from the World Chess Hall of Fame.
The Saint Louis Chess Club is one of the best-known chess venues in the world. Its expanded campus includes a tournament hall, classrooms, casual play areas, chess education facilities, and professional broadcast infrastructure.
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏟️ Venue | Saint Louis Chess Club |
| 📍 Address | 4663 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA |
| 🏙️ Neighborhood | Central West End |
| 🌐 Venue Website | https://saintlouischessclub.org/ |
| 📞 Phone | +1 314 361 2437 |
| 🏛️ Nearby Landmark | World Chess Hall of Fame |
✈️ How to Get There
The Saint Louis Chess Club is located in the Central West End area of Saint Louis. The nearest major airport is St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
| Travel Option | Recommended Route |
|---|---|
| ✈️ From St. Louis Lambert International Airport | Take a taxi, rideshare, or MetroLink connection toward the Central West End area. |
| 🚆 By MetroLink | Use MetroLink to reach Central West End Station, then continue to the Saint Louis Chess Club by walking, taxi, or rideshare. |
| 🚕 By Taxi or Rideshare | A taxi or rideshare is the simplest option for visitors travelling with luggage or arriving close to round time. |
| 🚗 By Car | Enter Saint Louis Chess Club, 4663 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108 into the navigation system. |
| 🏙️ From Downtown Saint Louis | Travel west toward the Central West End by MetroLink, taxi, rideshare, or car. |
Arrival Advice
Spectators should arrive early because tournament hall access is limited and seating is not guaranteed.
All rounds are scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM. Visitors should allow extra time for entry, security, parking, and movement around the Central West End area.
ℹ️ Other Information
Spectator Access
Daily passes are required for spectators who want access to the Cairns Cup and Sinquefield Cup tournament halls.
Each day pass covers both events for that day.
Broadcast
The tournament will be broadcast through the Saint Louis Chess Club’s online channels.
Viewers can follow live commentary on the Saint Louis Chess Club YouTube and Twitch channels.
Commentary Team
The broadcast commentary team includes WGM Almira Skripchenko and IM Nazi Paikidze.
Arbiters
IA Maya Myers will serve as Chief Arbiter.
IA Karen Pennock will serve as Deputy Arbiter.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks are not allowed inside the tournament hall.
Light refreshments are available for ticket holders in a designated area of the Saint Louis Chess Club.
Phones, Cameras and Watches
Cellphones, personal cameras, and smart watches are not allowed in the tournament halls during play.
Media representatives should contact the organizer separately for media access.
Meet and Greet
There are no official meet-and-greet sessions announced.
Spectators may wait at the club entrance before or after rounds to try to meet players and request autographs.
Related Event
The 2026 Sinquefield Cup takes place at the Saint Louis Chess Club during the same period.
Spectator day passes provide access to both the Cairns Cup and the Sinquefield Cup tournament halls.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $250,000
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Saint Louis Chess Club is a nonprofit chess organization based in the Central West End neighborhood of Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. The club was founded in 2007 and opened its doors in July 2008. Since then, it has become one of the most important centers for over-the-board chess in the United States and the wider international chess community.
The club promotes chess through education, tournament organization, public programming, and community outreach. Its mission places strong emphasis on chess instruction and the educational value of the game. Therefore, the club supports players at many levels, from beginners and schoolchildren to titled players and elite grandmasters.
Saint Louis Chess Club is also closely connected with the city’s identity as a major chess destination. Its venue on Maryland Avenue gives players access to regular chess activity, classes, lectures, rated games, and major tournaments. As a result, the club has helped make Saint Louis one of the most recognizable chess cities in the world.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Saint Louis Chess Club organizes a wide range of chess events throughout the year. Its program includes weekly rated games, blitz events, monthly tournaments, scholastic competitions, lectures, beginner classes, youth programs, and advanced training. This gives local players a steady schedule and helps visiting players find regular chess activity in Saint Louis.
The club is also known for hosting major national and international events. These include the U.S. Chess Championship, U.S. Women’s Chess Championship, U.S. Junior Championship, Sinquefield Cup, Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, and Chess 9LX. These tournaments bring many of the world’s strongest players to Saint Louis and give the city a central role in elite chess.
In addition, Saint Louis Chess Club supports scholastic chess and education programs across the region. Its school activity, camps, group lessons, and educational resources help children learn chess in a structured way. Moreover, the club’s mix of public events and elite tournaments creates a rare bridge between grassroots chess and world-class competition.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who visit Saint Louis Chess Club can expect a professional and active chess environment. The club offers a clear path for beginners, casual players, club competitors, students, and advanced players. This makes it useful for people who want to learn chess, improve their skills, or compete in rated events.
The weekly program gives members and visitors many ways to participate. Players can join classes, attend lectures, play rated games, enter blitz tournaments, or follow elite events at the club. In addition, the club’s online broadcasts and educational content help chess fans stay connected even when they cannot visit in person.
For players searching for chess in Saint Louis, chess tournaments in the United States, or a world-class chess venue with regular programming, Saint Louis Chess Club offers one of the strongest options available. Its combination of education, community chess, scholastic outreach, national championships, and elite international events gives the organizer a unique place in modern chess.
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