St. Louis University (SLU) convincingly defeated the University of Missouri (Mizzou) 10-2 in the Collegiate Chess League (CCL) Spring 2025 finals, avenging their loss from last season’s championship match.
The highly anticipated rematch between collegiate chess powerhouses ended decisively as SLU’s all-grandmaster lineup dominated throughout the competition, clinching the title with a round to spare.
Grandmaster Showdown
Both teams featured formidable all-GM lineups in the finals. SLU entered with an undefeated record, fielding GMs Aryan Chopra, Viktor Gazik, Robby Kevlishvili, and Emin Ohanyan. Defending champions Mizzou countered with GMs Aryan Tari, Mikhail Antipov, Luka Budisavljevic, and Isik Can, having suffered only one defeat during the season—against SLU.
The first round lived up to expectations with SLU securing a narrow 2.5-1.5 lead. GM Viktor Gazik provided a critical turning point when he executed a decisive knight fork to win a game against GM Isik Can after being in a losing position.
Commanding Performance Seals Championship
SLU quickly extended their advantage in the second round, winning three games to take a commanding 6-2 lead. GM Emin Ohanyan delivered a notable performance by defeating GM Mikhail Antipov with the black pieces.
The third round saw SLU complete their dominance with a clean sweep of all games. GMs Chopra and Gazik both employed the Philidor Defense with devastating effect, helping to push the final score to 10-2 and eliminating the need for a fourth round.
Coordinated Strategy
SLU’s coordinated opening preparation was evident throughout the match, particularly in the third round when multiple team members successfully deployed the same opening system. This strategic approach, combined with exceptional individual performances, proved too much for the defending champions to overcome.
Path to the Finals
Both teams navigated challenging playoff brackets to reach the championship match. While SLU went undefeated throughout the tournament, Mizzou overcame all opponents except for their earlier loss to SLU during regular season play.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Lviv State University Of Physical Culture competed in the third-place match.
Looking Ahead
The convincing victory establishes SLU as the premier collegiate chess program heading into next season. With their roster of international grandmasters and coaching from GMs Varuzhan Akobian and Dariusz Świercz, they have set a high standard for collegiate chess competition.
The Collegiate Chess League continues to showcase the highest level of chess competition among college students, with the next season expected to feature these powerhouse programs once again.