2011 U.S. Women's Championship

Ladies are you ready?
Per the USCF:

The 2011 U.S. Championship and 2011 U.S. Women’s Championship have been set to take place April 13-28 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL).

The 2011 U.S. Women’s Championship will see eight players facing off in a preliminary round robin, with the top four players also advancing to a four-player knockout finale. All players will be hosted at the historic and luxurious Chase Hotel, a short walk from the Chess Club.

The breakdown of the eight invitations for the 2011 U.S. Women’s Championship is as follows:

* (1) The 2010 U.S. Women’s Champion
* (6) The top six female U.S. players by rating (by the January rating supplement)
* (1) One wildcard spot

Place Prize
1st $18,000
2nd $12,000
3rd $9,500
4th $7,000
5th $4,000
6th $3,000
7th $2,500
8th $2,000

Players

1. IM Anna Zatonskih
2. IM Irina Krush
3. IM Rusadan Goletiani
4. WGM Camilla Baginskaite
5. WIM Tatev Abrahamyan
6. WIM Sabina Foisor
7. WIM Alisa Melekhina
8. WIM Iryna Zenyuk


Commentators
GM Maurice Ashley
WGM Jennifer Shahade


Time Control
The time control used will be the FIDE standard of 40 moves in 90 minutes followed by the rest of the game in 30 minutes with a 30-second increment from move one.

MY NOTES:
It is a definate fact, that TN needs more ladies in serious chess play. This brings to mind another fact about Mid-South Chess Camp. Did you realize that they bring in high rated women chess players.

GM Susan Polgar
WGM Jennifer Shahade
WGM Martica Fierro
WIM Alisa Melekhina
WIM Iryna Zenyuk
Eve Kutvak
IM Irina Krush

Three of the eight players in this years 2011 U. S. Women's Championship have been instructors at the Mid-South chess camp. This year returns WGM Alisa Melekhina. Along with these three, WGM Jennifer Shahade one of the commentators has also been an instructor here at the camp.