(CROSSVILLE, TN)The second annual GM Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls (under 19) brought a fantastic turnout to Phoenix, Arizona. This was the culmination of a series of regional and state qualifying events over the past 12 months that involved over 3,000 vying to represent their respective states. 48 girls (as young as 11) took part in this historic event.

Three players tied for first with the score of 5-1 (4 wins and 2 draws). Women FIDE Master Alisa Melekhina, from Pennsylvania, Abby Marshall, from Ohio, and Women Grandmaster Anya Cork, from California, were declared co-champions. They were also the top three seeds of the tournament. Each champion was awarded a full tuition and fees scholarship to the University of Texas in Dallas (UTD), a prominent supporter of scholastic chess. For more information on UTD please contact, The University of Texas at Dallas, 2601 North Floyd Road, Richardson, TX 75083-0688 or call at 972-883-2111. You can also visit them at their website at http://chessweb.utdallas.edu/chessclub.htm.

Louiza Livschitz, from California, Amanda Mateer, from Arizona, Emily Lau, from Hawaii, and Anjali Datta, from Texas, tied for 4th place with the score of 4.5.

A record $155,000 in cash, prizes and scholarships were awarded to the 48 young ladies. The third annual GM Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls will be held in Chicago, Illinois from August 6-11, 2006. This tournament was co-sponsored by The Polgar Foundation and the U.S. Chess Trust. You can find information about what The Polgar Foundation is all about by visiting http://www.susanpolgarfoundation.org. Also check out http://www.uschess.org/org/patrons1.php for information on the U.S. Chess Trust. Several side activities for the Polgar attendees rounded out the week of fun and competition for the girls.

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The United States Chess Federation (USCF), founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee. USCF is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization nearing 90,000 members. For additional on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.