The Mizzou Chess Team recently took home the national title at the President’s Cup, the highest honor in U.S. collegiate chess. This year was Mizzou’s third time competing in the President’s Cup in the last four years – as well as the team’s second national championship.

Adding to the excitement, Mizzou was proud to host this year’s tournament and welcome the nation’s top chess programs to Memorial Student Union.

Mizzou defeated teams from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Saint Louis University, earning enough cumulative points to achieve victory. Head Coach Cristian Chirilă recognized Mahel Boyer as a top performer on the team, with two critical wins and a draw, and Luka Budisavljević, who was on the 2024 championship team and is the only Mizzou player with two national titles. Fellow chess team members Annmarie Muetsch and Tea Gueci also provided expert analysis throughout the tournament.

Mizzou’s incredible success is possible thanks to Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield, whose visionary leadership continues to support our chess students and community. Securing a second national championship reflects their longstanding commitment to Mizzou excellence in chess.

Congratulations to the Mizzou Chess Team on a historic victory.

— Mun