Krush Beats Zatonskih to Win U.S. Women’s Championship
By FM Mike Klein IM Irina Krush won both games of yesterday’s rapid playoff match to become the 2012 U.S. Women’s Champion. Playing black, Krush beat defending champion IM Anna Zatonskih in the first encounter, then survived several exceptional blunders to win game two. An emotional Krush ran downstairs after the second game and hugged […]
Pre-Tourney Favorites Pull Ahead at U.S. Championships
By FM Mike Klein The bell curve of scores began to take shape after today’s round three of the 2012 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship. With six of the 11 games pitting first-time opponents against each other, a lot of unknowns preluded the afternoon. The top two rated players pulled ahead in both competitions, […]
Decisive results abound in round 1 of U.S. Championships
By FM Mike Klein SAINT LOUIS, May 8, 2012 — There were running starts and standing starts and very little in between to open the 2012 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship. All but three games in the events produced a decisive result. The tournaments are being hosted by the Chess Club and Scholastic Center […]
2012 U.S. Championships Begin in Saint Louis
Chess Club founder Rex Sinquefield looks on as Saint Louis Mayor Francis Slay declares May 7, 2012 “Gateway to Chess Day” in Saint Louis. By Mike Klein SAINT LOUIS, May 8, 2012 — The 2012 U.S. Chess Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship began in the most serene setting, belying the pressure that will mount over […]
Meet the Arbiters
Chris Bird, the chief Arbiter for the 2012 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship, is an International Arbiter (awarded 2010) and USCF National Tournament Director (awarded 2012). He has directed at numerous major events across the U.S., including the 2009 U.S. Championship, the 2007, 2009 and 2010 U.S. Women’s Championships, 2010 U.S. Junior Closed Championship […]