Grandmaster Christopher Yoo, 17, a Korean-American who was hailed as a chess prodigy, has been expelled from the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship for assault. He has also been banned from the St. Louis Chess Club.
The incident occurred after Yoo lost to Fabiano Caruana in the fifth round of the championship in St. Louis on October 16.
After the game, Yoo allegedly crumpled the score sheet, ran off the hall, and struck a videographer from the back. The same day, the St. Louis Chess Club released a statement saying that Yoo violated its code of conduct and safe play rules.
It also said that as a result of the incident, Yoo will be expelled from the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship, which runs through October 24, regardless of the remaining matches.
“We take the conduct of our players very seriously and do not tolerate violations of our standards,” the chess club said in a statement. “We acted swiftly to this incident to ensure a respectful and safe environment.”
“The St. Louis Chess Club fully supports the Chief Arbiter’s decision and has banned him from the club.”
Tournament officials also announced that Yoo’s results from the first five rounds of the tournament will be annulled and the tournament ranking will be adjusted accordingly.
According to Chess.com, Yoo is a California native who is considered one of the youngest grandmasters in the U.S. He won the U.S. Junior Chess Championship this year and was competing in the U.S. Chess Championship in St. Louis.
BY SUAH JANG, HOONSIK WOO [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
