This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)- It’s a new low for chess’ highest achievement. On Saturday at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 13-year-old Sam Sevian completed the final requirement to earn the title of Grandmaster, the highest title a chess player can attain.

He is now the youngest American Grandmaster in history. Sevian is 13 years, 10 months and 27 days. The previous record was 14 years, 11 months and 16 days set by Webster University student Ray Robson.

Sevian, who is from Boston, had already completed his three “norms”, or superior performances in high-level tournaments, required by FIDE, the World Chess Federation. He just needed to top a strength rating of 2500 to earn the Grandmaster title. He was just 16 points shy of the mark when he arrived in St. Louis Friday to compete in the CCSCSL Invitational. He won his first four games giving him the points needed.

Once you earn Grandmaster status, you have it for life.

The CCSCSL Invitational continues through Tuesday afternoon.

Also at the Chess Club right now, $100,000 match dubbed the Showdown in Saint Louis between two of the world’s top-ten players, GM Levon Aronian and GM Hikaru Nakamura.

For more information, visit www.uschesschamps.com.

  • Courtesy: Austin Fuller
  • Courtesy: Austin Fuller