The Cairns Cup returns to Saint Louis for its fifth edition, featuring ten of the world’s leading female players in a nine-round classical tournament. With a record prize fund of $250,000 and a playoff in place to decide any tie for first, the event continues to highlight elite women’s chess. Top seeds include Tan Zhongyi, Humpy Koneru, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Nana Dzagnidze. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

