2010 Annual Susan Polgar Girl's Invitational

The 2010 Annual Susan Polgar Girl's Invitational

The seventh annual Susan Polgar Girl's Invitational, the most prestigious all-girls chess championship in the United States, started on Sunday, July 25th, in Lubbock. This prominent national championship takes place over six days, through Friday, on the Texas Tech campus.

Each state can nominate one talented young female chess player, the top 18-year-old or younger from the state. Thousands of girls compete annually in local, state, regional, national and world events to earn the esteemed invitations. This year nearly 45 participants from all across the United States came to town to do battle on the 64 squares. In addition to the championship, these fierce competitors will compete for chess prizes and scholarships.

There are a total of 3 individual championships. Trophies / plaques will be awarded to the winners of the Susan Polgar Girls Invitational Puzzle Solving Championship, Blitz Championship and the Rapid Championship. The player with the highest combined score in the Puzzle Solving, Blitz and Rapid will be crowned the Susan Polgar Girls Invitational Grand Champion. Co-champions are recognized in the case of a tie, with each champion receiving a Grand Champion’s Plaque or Trophy. The Grand Champion (or Co-Champions) will automatically be invited to defend her/their title if she/they meet the age requirement.

There is a brand new format this year. In addition to various championships, there will be a five-day intense world-class training program. This event will no doubt revolutionize girl's chess in America.

Champions of the past six years are:

• 2009: Yang Dai (Virginia)
• 2008: Courtney Jamison (Texas)
• 2007: Julia Kerr (New York) and Eunice Rodriguez (Florida)
• 2006: Abby Marshall (Virginia)
• 2005: Anya Corke (California), Alisa Melekhina (Pennsylvania), Abby Marshall (Ohio)
• 2004: Roza Eynullayeva (Massachusetts)

Daily updates of this event is available at www.ChessDailyNews.com and www.TexasTechChess.blogspot.com. Spectators are welcome to attend the championship at the Rawls College of Business Rotunda at Texas Tech on Thursday from 1:30 to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The closing ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m.