Just a few years ago, Zoey was playing in the same scholastic tournaments that many of our young players compete in today. This year, she found herself playing on one of the biggest stages in American chess.
Zoey was invited to compete in the 2026 American Cup, a tournament that brings together eight of the strongest players in the United States. The event uses a double-elimination format, where every match matters and players have to keep fighting even after a loss.
One of the most exciting moments of the tournament came when Zoey defeated the #2 seed, eight-time U.S. Women’s Champion Grandmaster Irina Krush. It was a hard-fought game and a memorable win against one of the most accomplished players in American chess.
Part of the game can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIR-mgcNbgk&list=PLVWaFpMwtaGgRUkBVDahN-NIe6V6nxQRy&index=24
Zoey continued battling through the elimination bracket before eventually being knocked out by IM Anna Sargsyan.
Playing in an event like the American Cup is a rare opportunity and an important experience for any player. For many scholastic players watching the tournament, it’s also a reminder that strong players start the same way everyone else does: playing local tournaments, learning from losses, and slowly improving over time.
From those early scholastic events to competing against the strongest players in the country, the journey in chess is built one move at a time.
Photo Credit: St Louis Chess Club Crystal Fuller