All-Girls Nationals Begins in Chicago
By Jamaal Abdul-alim   
April 21, 2012
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Chicago – Organizers kicked off the 2012 All-Girls National Championships with an announcement that the tournament will serve as a qualifying event for the World Youth Championships.

USCF Executive Board President Ruth Haring told the 240 tournament players who trekked here to the Windy City that as they compete they are training their minds to assess complex situations and make decisions in a way that will help them both on and off the chessboard.

“These skills are key to being a successful chess player and being successful in life,” Haring told the players at the opening ceremonies in the ballroom at the Swissotel in downtown Chicago.

“You may find that people think you have the ability to adapt quickly to a situation or you might be described by a future teacher as versatile or a quick learner, and it’s thanks to chess for that.”

The turnout of some 240 players represents a new record high, according to officials with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, the Illinois-based non-profit that his organizing the event. The event is being sponsored by the Kasparov Chess Foundation.

Round 1 began Friday and the remaining five rounds are set to continue over the weekend.

Trophies will be awarded to the top 15 players and top 3 teams in each of the six sections, which are divided by two-year age spans, from the 18 and Under to the 8 and Under.

Any player who scores a perfect 6-0 or score or who wins the first place trophy in any section qualifies to represent the United States at the Fide World Youth Championships, set to be held in Slovenia this November, subject to the Scholastic National Invitational Event and Award Requirements.

Look for wrap-up coverage of this year’s All-Girls National Championships here on CLO and follow the event in-progress on the official site.