US Chess Championship
The US Chess Championship is the national championship tournament of the United States. It determines the country’s top player and regularly features elite grandmasters competing in a round-robin event.
The US Chess Championship is an elite invitational tournament used to determine the United States national champion. Modern editions usually feature twelve players competing in a round-robin format.
Watch Famous US Championship Games
You can replay historic championship games move-by-move using the viewer below.
Fischer vs Byrne — US Championship 1965 (Round 8)
In this rare upset from the 1965 U.S. Championship, Bobby Fischer lost with White after overlooking a tactical resource in the opening. Playing the French Defence – Tarrasch Variation (Guimard Defence), Fischer blundered with 12.Nxc6??, allowing Robert Byrne to win the exchange with precise play. Byrne converted the advantage methodically and won in 36 moves.
Kamsky vs Nakamura — US Championship 2012 (Round 10)
This sharp battle from the 2012 United States Chess Championship features Hikaru Nakamura defeating former US Champion Gata Kamsky with the black pieces in a dynamic Sicilian Najdorf. After complex middlegame play, Nakamura seizes the initiative and launches a dangerous passed a-pawn that decides the game. The tactical finish and promotion race make this an exciting example of fighting chess at the highest level.
Practice: Nakamura’s Tactical Idea
This position comes from Kamsky vs Nakamura, US Championship 2012. Black appears under pressure, but Hikaru Nakamura found a powerful tactical sequence that turned the game in his favour.
Black to move — can you find Nakamura’s idea?
Most Successful US Chess Champions
Records current as of March 2026.
- Bobby Fischer – 8 titles
- Samuel Reshevsky – 8 titles
- Walter Browne – 6 titles
- Hikaru Nakamura – 5 titles
- Gata Kamsky – 5 titles
- Fabiano Caruana – 5 titles
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current US Chess Champion?
As of March 2026, the most recent U.S. Chess Championship winner is Fabiano Caruana (2025). The U.S. Champion is determined by the most recent completed edition of the tournament.
Did Fabiano Caruana win the US Chess Championship?
Yes. Fabiano Caruana has won the U.S. Chess Championship five times: 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Who has won the most US Chess Championships?
The record is eight titles, shared by Bobby Fischer and Samuel Reshevsky.
Has anyone won the US Chess Championship four times in a row?
Yes. Bobby Fischer and Fabiano Caruana are the only players to win the U.S. Chess Championship four consecutive times.
How is the US Chess Championship different from the US Open?
The U.S. Chess Championship is an elite invitational event with a fixed field, while the U.S. Open is an open-entry tournament that eligible players can enter.
How do players qualify for the US Chess Championship?
The U.S. Chess Championship is primarily invitational. Selections typically include the defending champion, top U.S. players by rating/performance, and specific qualification paths announced for that year.
How many players compete, and what is the usual format?
Modern editions commonly use a 12-player round-robin, where each player faces every other player once, plus tie-break rules if needed.
Where is the US Chess Championship held?
In the modern era, the tournament has most often been hosted in St. Louis, Missouri, which has become a major center for top-level chess in the United States.
Why does Hikaru Nakamura sometimes skip the US Chess Championship?
Player schedules and priorities change from year to year. Some players focus on international tournaments, online events, or other commitments, and may skip the U.S. Championship in certain years.
How much prize money does the US Chess Championship offer?
The prize fund varies by year. The organizers publish the prize fund and payout details for each edition in the official tournament information.