Chess grandmaster, 17, arrested, expelled from tournament for punching woman after loss

A teenage chess grandmaster was arrested and disqualified from a championship tournament for allegedly punching a woman during a post-loss tantrum.

Christopher Yoo, 17, allegedly crumpled his score sheet, stormed out of the room and hit a videographer on the back with his fist after he lost to defending champion Fabiano Caruana at the 2024 US Championship at the Saint Louis Chess Club on Oct. 17, the venue said.

The moment Yoo huffed away from the game table was caught on video — just moments before the punch.

Yoo stormed away from the table and crumpled his score sheet after the loss. YouTube / Saint Louis Chess Club

The teen was arrested at the scene and charged with fourth-degree assault, KSDK added.

He was released to a parent, and the issue will be handled by the juvenile courts.

The Saint Louis Chess Club described Yoo’s behavior as a “gross violation” of their standards and the US Chess Safe Play Policy.

His results from rounds one through five of the tournament were annulled, and the overall results were adjusted accordingly, the club explained.

Yoo, 17, was only 12 when he achieved International Master status. YouTube / Saint Louis Chess Club

In addition to being expelled from the tournament, the teen prodigy has also been banned by the Saint Louis Chess Club, which has hosted the championships since 2009.

“We take player conduct seriously and do not tolerate violations of our standards. We acted swiftly to address this situation, ensuring a respectful and safe environment for everyone involved in the tournament,” the Saint Louis Chess Club said in its statement.

Yoo, of Fresno, Calif., issued an apology on Monday, Chess.com reported.

Yoo was also banned from the Saint Louis Chess Club. YouTube / Saint Louis Chess Club

“I am really sorry for hitting the videographer. I was disappointed losing the game to Caruana and lost my temper. That’s no excuse, I know,” he said.

“I am really sorry for what I did. It was a serious mistake. Every day I wish I could go back in time and undo it, but I can’t. I am very sad for what I did, and I hope the videographer is OK.

“I know that it’s not acceptable to do what I did. I accept the consequences for my actions … All I can do is to be better from now on. I promise that this won’t happen again,” he continued, adding that he wished the “best of luck” to Caruana and the other players.

Christopher Yoo issued an apology on Monday. YouTube / Saint Louis Chess Club

Yoo’s father previously wrote on Facebook that his son was “genuinely remorseful.”

“Christopher offers no excuses for his behavior. He is just very sad and ashamed he behaved in that way,” the family statement read.

Yoo was just 12 years old when he became an International Master in February 2019.

He was briefly the youngest American player to achieve the prestigious chess rank until he was surpassed by Abhimanyu Mishra, also 12, later that year. 

Yoo achieved Grandmaster status in 2022.