Christopher Yoo, a young chess grandmaster, faced arrest and expulsion after an altercation following his loss to fellow grandmaster Fabiano Caruana during the United States Chess Championship held on October 23 in St. Louis, Missouri.
After a disappointing match that marked his fifth defeat in six games, Yoo was visibly frustrated, seen scrunching up his scoresheet. As he exited the tournament hall, he allegedly struck a female videographer, an incident captured on video and shared widely on social media.
The St. Louis Chess Club responded swiftly, banning Yoo from the tournament and the facility, citing his actions as a “gross violation” of the club’s code of conduct and the U.S. Chess Federation’s safe play policy. According to the U.S. Chess Federation, the 17-year-old has been charged with fourth-degree assault. Yoo will face the juvenile justice system as he is currently underage.
Following the incident, Yoo released a public apology, expressing deep regret for his actions. "I was disappointed losing the game to Caruana and lost my temper. That’s no excuse, I know," he said. Yoo acknowledged the severity of his actions, adding, "I am very sorry for what I did... Every day I wish I could go back in time and undo it, but I can’t. I accept the consequences of my actions.”
The St. Louis Chess Club also issued a statement, affirming its support for Yoo's expulsion and commitment to safe conduct in chess. They emphasized their immediate assistance to the videographer and collaboration with law enforcement following the incident.
Yoo’s promising chess career, including his historic achievement as the youngest International Master in American history, has been overshadowed by the incident.
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