'Tough But Fair:' Christopher Yoo Handed One-Year Ban Following Videographer Assault

Seventeen-year-old GM Christopher Yoo has been slapped with a one-year suspension from national tournaments following his expulsion from the 2024 US Chess Championship. In a statement to Chess.com, the teenager's father calls the sanction "tough but fair."

US Chess has anonymized Yoo's identity on the recently updated list of sanctioned members due to his status as a minor. However, Yoo's father, Young-Kyu Yoo, confirmed the sanction in a statement to Chess.com, describing it as "tough but fair."

"Christopher and we as his parents accept the sanctions and have told US Chess we have no plans to appeal," he said. "We thought the sanctions were tough but fair. We realize they could have been even tougher, but had hoped they would be more lenient considering his age, his long history of good behavior, and his genuine remorse."

We realize they could have been even tougher, but had hoped they would be more lenient considering his age, his long history of good behavior, and his genuine remorse.

—Young-Kyu Yoo

The entry shows that the one-year suspension lasts until November 14, 2025, with an additional five years of probation until November 14, 2030, as shared by IA Chris Bird, who was the arbiter during the US Chess Championship.

@USChess have handed GM Yoo a 1 year suspension through Nov 14, 2025 and a 5 year period of probation through Nov 14, 2030 according to their latest Sanctioned Members list available at the bottom of this page, https://t.co/4NBxhBnii3 pic.twitter.com/PkWf3G98LX

— Chris Bird (@ChrisBirdIA) November 26, 2024

The scandal that occurred after Yoo's round-five loss to GM Fabiano Caruana rocked the international chess community. The family confirmed reports from witnesses who said he threw a completely unprovoked punch at a female videographer from behind.

He was found guilty of gross violations of the US Chess Safe Play Policy and expelled from the event. St. Louis Metropolitan Police charged Yoo with fourth-degree assault, and the case is being processed in the juvenile justice system.

The Yoos reiterate their deep remorse for the incident, apologizing to the affected. Speaking to Chess.com, Yoo's father said they had been told the videographer was not injured. "We continue to wish her well emotionally and physically."

He confirmed that Yoo has been undergoing therapy for a month and a half since the incident. "He has been undergoing both group and one-on-one therapy to help him deal with his emotions and stress, and to make sure something like this never happens again."

He has been undergoing both group and one-on-one therapy to help him deal with his emotions and stress, and to make sure something like this never happens again.

—Young-Kyu Yoo

The 17-year-old is considered one of the most exciting prospects in the world, currently ranked 19th among the world's top-rated juniors. Christopher Yoo became the youngest-ever American master at nine in 2016 and followed up by achieving the IM title at the age of 12 in 2019, the youngest-ever player to do so at the time.

While the suspension will not affect FIDE events, such as the upcoming FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championship in New York in December, he will not take part. "He won't be playing in any FIDE OTB events until we and his therapists think he's ready."

"He realizes the gravity of what he did and still gets very sad when we talk about it but he is also eager to play competitive chess again because that's what he loves to do most and what he wants to do with his life."

This Tuesday, before this interview, Christopher Yoo clinched first in the Late Titled Tuesday, even beating GM Hikaru Nakamura on the way.

"He resumed playing in online events last week. They're a source of joy for him right now. We hope people don't begrudge him that joy, but we understand that it will be hard for some to forgive."