Chess grandmaster angrily punches female videographer after he lost to opponent

Friday, October 25, 2024 - A chess grandmaster was arrested and expelled from the game for punching a female videographer after losing a tournament match.

Christopher Yoo lost both a match and his cool on Wednesday, October 23, at the United States Chess Championship in St Louis, Missouri.

After losing to fellow grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, Yoo – who had won just one point from his first five games – was seen in a video published online scrunching up his scoresheet in annoyance at the result.

As he stormed out the hall, he appeared to angrily hit a female photographer in the back.

The St Louis Chess club subsequently expelled him from the tournament and banned him from the facility for "gross violation of code of conduct and the US chess safe place policy".

The US Chess Federation claim that the 17-year-old was charged with fourth-degree assault and was later released to the custody of his parents.

Yoo’s case will be handled in the juvenile justice system, after police said that he struck the 24-year-old woman with his fist.

Yoo has since released a statement, saying he is "really sorry for hitting the videographer".

He continued: "I was disappointed losing the game to Caruana and lost my temper. That’s no excuse, I know.

"I am very sorry for what I did. It was a serious mistake. Every day I wish could go back in time and undo it, but I can’t. I am very sad for what I did and hope the videographer is ok. I know that it’s not acceptable to do what I did. I accept the consequences of my actions.

"All I can do is better from now on. I promise that this won’t happen again."

St Louis Chess Club also took to social media to issue a statement.

They said: "The St Louis Chess Club immediately provided assistance to the videographer and called the police who responded.

"Chief arbiter Chris Bird expelled Yoo from the tournament due to the gross violation of our code of conduct and the US Chess safe play policy.

"The St Louis Chess club fully supports this decision, and has banned Yoo from the club."

Yoo had been touted as one of the brightest young talents in chess after becoming the youngest International Master in American history.

Watch the moment he angrily ripped off his score sheet below.

If you’ve never ripped up your scoresheet like this, you’re not a real chess player.

GM Christopher Yoo in Round 5 of the 2024 US Championships. ♟️#Chess pic.twitter.com/VD9wOyFRet

— Rick from ‘Chess to Impress’ (@Gold_Chess) October 16, 2024