-- Chicago's Palmer House Hilton Hotel played host to the All-Girls National Chess Championships this past weekend, March 17 - 19, 2006. This was the third consecutive year of the tournament, and, as they say -- three times a charm, as more than 200 girls, representing 120 schools from 22 states around the country, got together in the spirit of competition and sisterhood.
The tournament, organized and sponsored by the Kasparov Chess Foundation, in association with the USCF and Chess Wizards, featured a number of events surrounding the tournament, highlighted by a captivating 40 board Simultaneous Exhibition by none other than Garry Kasparov. Kasparov challenged 40 players, including a number of past tournament champions, as he dominated the boards in an astounding undefeated performance.
Pointing to the need for chess events that encourage more girls to get involved in the sport, Kasparov Chess Foundation president, Michael Khodarkovsky, explained, "This tournament is so important to the game of chess. We are creating an environment where young women can flourish. The friendships they form, experiences gained and memories they'll share from this weekend will last a lifetime."
On Sat., March 18, Mr. Kasparov hosted a luncheon and presentation on the many scholastic benefits of chess to more than 70 invited guests from academia, chess community and media. He was also on hand throughout the tournament to signing autographs and posing for pictures with the players and their families to the delight of the crowds.
According to Khodarkovsky, Mr. Kasparov's involvement left a lasting impression on all who participated in the tournament. "To actually have an opportunity to face the world's greatest player of all time across a chess board is truly a life-shaping experience, and one they will never forget," added Khodarkovsky.
Following are the results based on age groupings:
Eight and Under
Individual Winners:
Jyostna Bitra, IL
Epiphany Peters, MI
Team Winner: Dalton, NY
Fei-Tzin Lee
Natalie Freeman
Lyra Katzmanr
Ten and Under
Individual Winners:
Ashley Xue, VA
Team Winners: PS 139, NY
Rochelle Ballantyne
Chloe Pierre-Louis
Chanise Thomas
Twelve and Under
Individual Winners:
Alena Kuzniatsova, NY
Team Winners: Intermediate School 318, NY
Darrian Robinson
Angelica Berrios
Arnelle Amoroso
Fourteen and Under
Individual Winners:Courtney Jamison, TX
Team Winners: Intermediate School 318, NY
Jessie Lopez
Martz Szula
Noa Jaffe
Sixteen and Under
Elina Kats, NY
Team Winner: Cass Technical HS, MI
Madina Mathis
Ashley Bish
Devyne A Lloyd
Eighteen and Under
Individual Winners:
Ninoshka Fernandes, IL
Olena Jaworska,IL
Team Winner: Lane Tech HS, IL
Olena Jaworska
Jorri Aford
Debra Conditt
Founded by World Chess Champion
Garry Kasparov, KCF's mission is to bring the many educational
benefits of chess to children throughout the United States by
providing a complete chess curriculum and enrichment programs. The
Foundation promotes the study of chess as a cognitive learning tool
in curricular classes and after-school programs for elementary,
middle and high schools, both in the public and private school
sectors. The not-for-profit educational organization also organizes
tournaments and competitions on a local and national basis. For more
information, please visit http://www.kasparovchessfoundation.org/
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