Chess grandmaster, 17, 'arrested after punching woman' in meltdown after loss

Chess grandmaster Christopher Yoo was disqualified astatine the USA Championship aft helium punched a pistillate pursuing his loss, which has seen him banned from the venue

A chess grandmaster has been arrested aft allegedly punching a pistillate - which has seen him disqualified from a tournament.

Christopher Yoo was disqualified connected Wednesday aft helium fto his emotions boil implicit pursuing a decision by defending champion GM Fabiano Curuana. Yoo's aggravated absorption was captured connected video arsenic helium tore up his people expanse astatine the United States Chess Championship successful St. Louis past week.

The nonaccomplishment near him with conscionable 1 constituent from his opening 5 games astatine the tourney and helium near the video hallway earlier allegedly hitting a pistillate videographer successful the back. St Louis Chess Club expelled Yoo and banned him from the facility.

His results person been scratched from the tourney and each subordinate who was owed to look him person been fixed a bye.

A connection from the nine read: "The St Louis Chess Club instantly provided assistance to the videographer and called the constabulary who responded. Chief arbiter Chris Bird expelled Yoo from the tourney owed to the gross violations of our codification of behaviour and the US Chess harmless play policy. The Saint Louis Chess Club afloat supports this decision, and has banned Yoo from the club."

Yoo himself has merchandise a connection and apologised, claiming helium "lost his temper" and "wishes helium could undo it".

He said: "I americium truly atrocious for hitting the videographer. I was disappointed losing the crippled to Caruana and mislaid my temper. That's nary excuse, I know. I americium truly atrocious for what I did. It was a superior mistake. Every time I privation I could spell backmost successful clip and undo it, but I can’t.

"I americium precise bittersweet for what I did and I anticipation the videographer is OK. I cognize that it’s not acceptable to bash what I did. I judge the consequences of my actions. All I tin bash is to beryllium amended from present on. I committedness that this won't hap again. Best of luck to Caruana. I americium atrocious this happened aft our game. And champion of luck to the different players and champion wishes to the St. Louis Chess Club."

The US Chess Federation authorities that Yoo has been charged with fourth-degree battle aft hitting the 24-year-old pistillate successful the back. He has since been released into the custody of his parents, with the USCF explaining: "His lawsuit volition beryllium handled successful the juvenile justness system."