SLU Gets Revenge, Wins Spring Season CCL
In last season's Collegiate Chess League (CCL) finals, the University of Missouri (Mizzou) defeated St. Louis University (SLU) in a tight match. There were some adventures along the way, but both teams worked their way back to the Collegiate Chess League Spring 2025 finals, setting up a much-anticipated rematch.
Collegiate Chess League Division 1 — Spring 2025 Playoff Bracket
SLU Dominates Against Mizzou, 10-2
It might not be shocking that the two teams with all GM lineups made it back to the CCL finals. SLU won every match on their way to the finals with a lineup of GMs Aryan Chopra, Viktor Gazik, Robby Kevlishvili, and Emin Ohanyan. Mizzou was the defending champion for a reason, and their only loss this season was a tight match against SLU. Their lineup includes GMs Aryan Tari, Mikhail Antipov, Luka Budisavljevic, and Isik Can.
The first round delivered the excitement you would expect from such a heavyweight matchup. SLU emerged with a 2.5-1.5 lead, but only after Gazik swindled a win from a losing position against Can.
The knight fork to end that game seemed to swing the entire match. In the second round, SLU broke the match wide open by winning three games and taking a commanding 6-2 lead. Ohanyan provided a big boost, beating Antipov with the black pieces.
In round three, Mizzou needed a big comeback, but SLU just kept their feet on the gas, winning every game! Perhaps with some coordinated prep, Chopra and Gazik both played the Philidor Defense and dominated their games.
That left the score at 10-2, so there was no need for a fourth round, and SLU became the champion. Congratulations to the whole team and their coaches!
St. Louis University wins the Collegiate Chess League in dominant fashion! 🏆
— Collegiate Chess League (@CollegiateChess) March 29, 2025
Congratulations to the whole team:
♟️ GM Aryan Chopra
♟️ GM Viktor Gazik
♟️ GM Emin Ohanyan
♟️ GM Robby Kevlishvili
📋 GM Varuzhan Akobian
📋 GM Dariusz Świercz pic.twitter.com/IjN46JKEX4
Thank you for following the Collegiate Chess League. We will see you next season!
You can check out the finals along with the third-place match between the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Lviv State University Of Physical Culture.
The live broadcast was hosted by GM Benjamin Bok and JulesGambit.
The Collegiate Chess League is the premier online chess competition for college students.
Previous coverage:
- Semifinals: SLU, Mizzou Win To Set Up Rematch In Finals
- Quarterfinals: Texas And Lviv Advance To The Semifinals
- Week 7: Rio Grand Valley Edges Lviv State University In Tense Match
- Week 6: SLU Defeats Mizzou To Remain Unbeaten
- Week 5: SLU Handles Yale
- Week 4: Mizzou Sweeps First Round On Way To Victory: CCL Week 4
- Week 3: Saint Louis Wins Clash Of Leaders To Reach 3/3
- Week 2: Saint Louis Leads With SRM On 2/2, Athens Scores 1st Win
- Week 1: Missouri Settles the Score vs. Virginia, SLU Inches Ahead of Athens
- Collegiate Chess League Spring 2025 Registration
