20th KCF All-Girls National Chess Championship Recap: A Celebration of Girls in Chess

The 20th Kasparov Chess Foundation All-Girls National Chess Championship recently took place, drawing over 500 girls from 33 states to compete in one of the largest girls’ chess events in the country. The event kicked off with energy and excitement, with players participating in various tournaments and activities.

One of the highlights of the championship was the Bughouse tournament, where The Chapin School emerged victorious. The main rounds began with players from kindergarten to high school seniors competing in classical games. A special surprise during the tournament was the random drawing where players received portable wooden chess sets with hidden notes under the queens.

The final day of the championship saw intense matchups that determined the champions in each category. In the U18 section, WIM Iris Mou and WFM Megan Paragua emerged as co-champions after a tough competition. Paragua emphasized the importance of encouraging more girls to play chess and the friendships that can be formed through the game.

In the U16 section, Jasmine Su emerged victorious after a close contest with Chloe Gaw and Gaofei Wang. Su highlighted the importance of all-girls tournaments in providing opportunities for female players to compete at their level.

Other winners included Audrey Zhou in the U14 section, Emma Yang in the U12 section, and Celine Chen in the U10 section. The Speyer Legacy School stood out as the top team in the U12 and U8 sections.

Overall, the championship showcased the talent and dedication of female chess players from across the country. The event not only provided a platform for competition but also served as a celebration of the bright future of girls in chess.