IM Carissa Yip clinched victory in the 2021 U.S. Women’s Championship with a round to spare, after defeating IM Nazi Paikidze in today’s penultimate round. With an unreachable score of 8.0/10, Yip also made history by becoming the first woman ever to defeat four former champions in a U.S. Women’s Championship. Currently tied for 2nd place are GM Irina Krush and WGM Begim Tokhirjonova, with 6.5/10.

IM Carissa Yip has been one of the leading students at the Young Stars project. The Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF) and Saint Louis Chess Club have been running the very successful Young Stars – Team USA program for the past six years. Team USA’s program has helped develop several American chess prodigies from across the country. including the likes of GM Jeffery Xiong and GM Sam Sevian. Team USA has been capped off with individualized training sessions with Kasparov’s coaching staff and special training sessions with Garry Kasparov himself.

Carissa Yip (bottom left) at the latest Young Stars training session with Garry Kasparov

Carissa’s confident chess catapulted her to the top of the standings and is uncatchable before the last round even starts. She will finish the event against IM Katerina Nemcova.

IM Carissa Yip at her post-win interview with GM Maurice Ashley. Photo courtesy of the Saint Louis Chess Club

Congratulations to the 2021 U.S. Women’s Championship, 18-year old Carissa Yip!