2025 – Samuel Sevian
age
24
residence
Samuel
Grandmaster Sam Sevian of Holden, Massachusetts, was a chess prodigy in his youth. Taught to play by his father at the age of five, his early career between the ages of 8 and 13 saw him break a number of records.These included the youngest American player to become an Expert (2000), Master (2200), International Master and Grandmaster.
The United States has had five players rated in the top twenty in the world for some time now making it extremely difficult to find a spot on the national team. Sam has not yet played in an Olympiad but had an impressive debut for Team U.S.A. in the 2019 World Team Championship in Kazakhstan. Playing on second board Sevian won an individual bronze medal for his undefeated score of 5 from 8, helping an underdog U.S. squad overperform and tie for fourth place.
Sam made his debut in the U.S. Championship in 2013 and has been a regular participant ever since. His best result was in the 2021 event where he tied for first with Fabiano Caruana (whom he defeated in their individual game) and Wesley So, but losing out in the playoff won by So, He reached his highest rating to date, in May of 2022 when he crossed the magic 2700 barrier (2703) marking his entrance into the world elite.
What do Sam Sevian, Sam Shankland and Hans Niemann have in common besides being strong Grandmasters? Answer: they all played in their formative years at the oldest continuously operated chess club in the United States, the Mechanics’ Institute of San Francisco, founded in 1855.
Samuel Sevian is an American chess Grandmaster, a title he achieved at the age of 13, making him one of the youngest grandmasters in history at that time. Born in New York and raised in California, Sam demonstrated his chess talent early, capturing the U.S. Junior Championship title and competing in numerous international events with impressive results. Sevian's playing style is aggressive and dynamic, characterized by his exceptional tactical skills and deep opening preparation. His rise through the ranks of American chess has been marked by several notable performances in top-level U.S. tournaments and his participation in the U.S. Chess Championships, where he has consistently been a strong contender.
2023 Grand Chess Tour Winnings
$9,000
Tour Stops
- 1
2023 Superbet Chess Classic Romania
- 2
2023 Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland
- 3
2023 SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia
- 4
2023 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz
- 5
2023 Sinquefield Cup
| rank | tournament | points | prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz | 16½ | $9,000 |
| Total | 16 | $9,000 |
