2019-02-16

Inaugural Cairns Cup 2019

Inaugural Cairns Cup 2019 is an elite tournament for the top female players from around the world for one of the largest prize funds for an all-female tournament. The nine-round classical chess tournament, to take place from February 5th to 16th, hosted in the Saint Louis Chess Club.

Official site

Inspired by its mission to further promote the game of chess to women and girls, the Saint Louis Chess Club created and named the Cairns Cup in honor of Chess Club co-founder Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield, whose maiden name is Cairns. The tournament format is similar in style to the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, with the 10 best female players from around the world earning invitations to compete at the Saint Louis Chess Club’s renowned facility for the $150,000 prize fund. The top three finishers will receive $40,000, $30,000, and $20,000 respectively.

The inaugural tournament field features women from seven different countries and consists of legendary champions, including former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, former Women’s World Blitz Champion Nana Dzagnidze, 4-time U.S. Women’s Champion Anna Zatonskih, and 7-time U.S. Women’s Champion Irina Krush.


Watch the games of the Inaugural Cairns Cup 2019 with computer analysis LIVE on ChessBomb.

Read the reports on the event:
Jennifer Shahade Historic Cairns Cup Women’s Tournament Opens with Saint Louis Chess Club’s $100,000 Gift to US Chess
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 1
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 2
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 3
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 4
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 5
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 6
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 7
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 8
Saint Louis Chess Club - 2019 Cairns Cup Recap – Round 9
Peter Doggers - Inaugural Cairns Cup Takes Off With 4 Decisive Games
PeterDoggers - Cairns Cup Slows Down In Results, Not In Content
PeterDoggers - Cairns Cup: Kosteniuk Leads, Gunina Shines
PeterDoggers - Cairns Cup: Gunina Catches Kosteniuk After 'Insane' Round
Mike Klein - Cairns Cup: Gunina Overtakes Kosteniuk For Lead
PeterDoggers - Gunina Wins Inaugural Cairns Cup