President Choi's Blog

Members of MU chess community win national awards

July 18, 2023


A photo of Begim Tokhirjonova
Begim Tokhirjonova

Mizzou Chess is again receiving national recognition for excellence.

MU student Begim Tokhirjonova was recently named the 2023 U.S. Chess Federation Woman Chessplayer of the Year. Originally from Uzbekistan, she is an International Woman Grandmaster and was part of the inaugural Mizzou Chess Team in 2019 – putting our Tigers on an upward trajectory. Begim is completing a degree in business administration with an emphasis in management, a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation, and a global business certificate.

A photo of Rex Sinquefield, Begim Tokhirjonova, President Choi and Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield at an MU Chess Team reception in April 2022.
(Left to right) Rex Sinquefield, Begim Tokhirjonova, President Choi and Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield at an MU Chess Team reception in April 2022.

The U.S. Chess Federation also announced that Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield received the Gold Koltanowski Award for growing the country’s chess community. Both are dedicated supporters of MU Chess – as well as our music programs through the visionary Mizzou New Music Initiative and the Sinquefield Music Center.

Congratulations to all!

— Mun