2010 U.S. Women's and Junior Closed Championships awarded to Saint Louis |
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis Mike Wilmering [email protected] www.saintlouischessclub.org The USCF has awarded the 2010 U.S. Women's Championship and the 2010 U.S. Junior Closed Championship to the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. The two events will be held concurrently July 9-19. The U.S. Women's Championship will feature a prize fund at least as large as last year's record-breaking, $64,000 purse. The tournaments will take place simultaneously, and each will feature a 10-player field. The invitees will consist of 1. the defending champion for each event, 2. The US Women's Open Champion/The US Junior Open Champion, 3-9- Top players by rating (list to be used to be announced soon) 10. 1 Wildcard for each event. "Encouraging more women and juniors to play chess are both vital goals of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis," said Executive Director Tony Rich. "So we are very excited to host the tournaments simultaneously." The announcement of these two major tournaments are another step toward cementing Saint Louis as the premier chess destination in the country. Anna Zatonskih will return to defend her title after winning the 2009 U.S. Women's Championship. That victory earned her a bid to compete in the 2010 U.S. Championship, scheduled to be held at the CCSCSL May 13-25. The three most prestigious tournaments in United States chess are being held in Saint Louis this year, giving the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis the Triple Crown of chess. Stay tuned to www.saintlouischessclub.org for more details. |