Former World Rapid Champion Koneru Humpy, former women’s junior World Champion Divya Deshmukh, and 2026 FIDE Women’s World Championship Challenger Vaishali Rameshbabu will join a strong field for the 2026 Cairns Cup chess championship in Saint Louis this August. The tournament, offering a $250,000 prize fund, will feature 10 of the world’s top women chess players competing in Saint Louis, known for hosting elite chess events.
Scheduled from August 8 to 21 at the Saint Louis Chess Club, the Cairns Cup will coincide with the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, presenting a premier platform for elite chess competitions. Following a ten-player, nine-round classical round-robin format, the tournament is recognized as one of the most rigorous tests in professional chess, emphasizing Saint Louis’ commitment to promoting women’s opportunities in the game.
Named after Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, the Cairns Cup underscores the Saint Louis Chess Club’s dedication to advancing women’s chess and nurturing future champions. Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield initiated the Cairns Chess Queens Award in 2024, offering a $100,000 prize to any eligible U.S. woman achieving the Grandmaster (GM) title by July 4, 2029, to encourage women’s participation and success in chess.
“It is an honor to host some of the world’s top women players in Saint Louis,” stated Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, co-founder of the STLCC, emphasizing the event’s role in creating more opportunities for women in chess and inspiring the next generation of players to excel and lead in this timeless game. The 2026 Cairns Cup will showcase a star-studded lineup, including former Women’s World Champions, reigning Cairns Cup Champion IM Carissa Yip, and other renowned players like GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and GM Bibisara Assaubayeva.
