GM Tan Zhongyi has won the 2026 Cairns Cup, becoming the first player ever to claim the prestigious title twice. The former Women’s World Champion from China finished ahead of a world-class field at the sixth edition of one of the strongest women’s round-robin events in the world.
Held at the Saint Louis Chess Club, the nine-round classical tournament brought together ten leading female players from around the world and featured a remarkable $250,000 prize fund – not only the largest in Cairns Cup history, but one of the biggest in women’s chess at all!
Tan finished the tournament on 6.5/9, securing the title by half a point. She received $65,000 for first place, while 16-year-old IM Alice Lee of the United States took second and earned her first GM norm alongside a $50,000 prize. GM Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan and IM Carissa Yip of the United States shared third place, each receiving $35,000.
For Tan, the achievement was particularly meaningful.
“Winning the Cairns Cup for the second time is very special to me, and I’m proud to be the only player to have achieved that.“ – She shared. – “I believe success is about more than what happens over the board. Having a supportive network of friends and a strong team around me makes a big difference. I’m especially grateful to my second, GM Jeffery Xiong, who I spent time with in Dallas preparing for this tournament. I was also able to fully adjust to the time zone in advance, which I felt was very beneficial to my performance. I’m very happy to have won the tournament and grateful to everyone who supported me along the way.”
A stage worthy of the world’s best
The Cairns Cup is more than a prestigious tournament on the calendar. It is an example of the impact that dedicated investment in women’s chess can have.
A strong international field, a classical round-robin format and a quarter-of-a-million-dollar prize fund provide an exceptional platform for the world’s leading female players to compete at the highest level. Just as importantly, an event of this scale gives elite women’s chess the visibility and recognition it deserves.
The tournament was created by the Saint Louis Chess Club with the aim of further promoting chess among women. Its continued growth – culminating in the record prize fund for the 2026 edition – demonstrates the value of long-term commitment from organisers who are willing to invest in women’s chess and create opportunities for its leading players.
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess celebrates initiatives such as the Cairns Cup that help raise the profile of women’s chess and create ambitious targets for players of every generation.
The 2026 edition offered plenty to celebrate – from Tan Zhongyi’s historic second title to Alice Lee’s first GM norm – while once again demonstrating the strength, depth and ambition of women’s chess at the highest level.
Full standings:
Photos by Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Official website: https://saintlouischessclub.org/event/2026-cairns-cup/
