Field Set for 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship
Field Set for 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship
SAINT LOUIS (May 30, 2013) -- The 10-player field has been set for the 2013 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, scheduled to be held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) June 13-23. The top Juniors in the nation will meet in Saint Louis with more than $10,000 at stake and an invitation to the 2014 U.S. Championship at stake.
The Junior Closed Championship is the most prestigious tournament in the nation for the country’s top players under the age of 21. This marks the fourth consecutive year this event is being held at the CCSCSL.
Meet the Field:
| No. | Title | Name | Rating* | Invitation Method |
| 1 | IM | Danel Naroditsky | 2538 | Rating |
| 2 | IM | Victor Shen | 2511 | Rating |
| 3 | NM | Robert Perez | 2510 | Rating |
| 4 | IM | Kayden Troff | 2505 | Rating |
| 5 | FM | Jeffrey Xiong | 2483 | Rating |
| 6 | FM | Yian Liou | 2469 | Rating |
| 7 | FM | Sam Sevian | 2467 | Rating |
| 8 | FM | Atulya Shetty | 2446 | Wildcard |
| 9 | FM | Luke Harmon-Vellotti | 2434 | Wildcard |
| 10 | WFM | Sarah Chiang | 2238 | U.S. Open Invitation |
*Ratings are based on the April USCF supplement
Karthik Ramachandran, the winner of the 2012 U.S. Junior Open, was ineligible to play in the 2013 U.S Junior Closed due to age restrictions, so the invitation was extended to WFM Sarah Chiang, the second-place finisher. Chiang is coming off her first-ever U.S. Women’s Championship appearance, which was held in Saint Louis in May. Kayden Troff and Sam Sevian also have recent big-tournament exposure, both having acquitted themselves nicely at the 2013 U.S. Championship, also held in Saint Louis in May.
The opening ceremony and player’s meeting will take place on June 13, and the first round of play will begin at 1 p.m. CT on June 14. Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Ben Finegold will provide live play-by-play commentary for each round of the event. Spectators are welcome to watch the commentary live at the Saint Louis Chess Club or online at www.USChessChamps.com.
Schedule of Events:
| Day | Date | Time | Event |
| Thursday | June 13th | 6:00 P.M. | Player Arrival, Opening Ceremony |
| Friday | June 14th | 1:00 P.M. | Round 1 |
| Saturday | June 15th | 1:00 P.M. | Round 2 |
| Sunday | June 16th | 1:00 P.M. | Round 3 |
| Monday | June 17th | 1:00 P.M. | Round 4 |
| Tuesday | June 18th | 1:00 P.M. | Round 5 |
| Wednesday | June 19th | REST DAY | REST DAY |
| Thursday | June 20th | 1:00 P.M. | Round 6 |
| Friday | June 21st | 1:00 P.M. | Round 7 |
| Saturday | June 22nd | 1:00 P.M. | Round 8 |
| Sunday | June 23rd | 11:00 A.M. | Round 9, Play Off (if necessary), Closing Ceremony |
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About The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.
Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.
