Webster University, with GM Bharathakoti Harsha, GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista, GM Yasser Quesada Perez, and GM Emilio Cordova as main team players and IM Anna M. Sargsyan and IM Annamaria Marjanovic as reserves, won the President’s Cup 2025.
The President’s Cup 2025, often referred to as the “Final Four of College Chess,” took place on April 5–6, 2025, at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas). This prestigious annual event determines the top U.S. collegiate chess team and features the four highest-ranking U.S. teams. This year’s President’s Cup included the following teams: Saint Louis University (SLU), Webster University, UTRGV, and UT Dallas. The tournament followed a round-robin format, with each team playing three matches, scored by individual points (1 for a win, 0.5 for a draw, 0 for a loss) across four boards per match. Matches were held at UT Dallas’ McDermott Library Suite.
Going into the final round on April 6, the standings were tight: Webster University and SLU were tied for first with 4.5 points each, UTRGV had 4 points, and UT Dallas trailed with 3 points. In the last round, UTRGV faced UT Dallas, while Webster played SLU—a matchup that would decide the champion. Historically, Webster has been a dominant force, sharing the record for most titles (six) with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and qualifying for its 12th consecutive President’s Cup in 2024. SLU, with its all-grandmaster lineup, was also a strong contender, having lost the Collegiate Chess League (CCL) Fall 2024 title to Mizzou but entering the 2025 CCL Spring Finals undefeated.
In the final match Webster University defeated SLU 2,5-1,5 with GM Yasser Quesada and GM Harsha winning with black, securing yet another title for Webster.
