CHESS NEWS BLOG: chessblog.com: US Chess 2013: Chess Queen Kosteniuk to Judge Goddesschess Fighting Spirit Award at National Championship

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone,

The Goddesschess Fighting Spirit Award at the U.S. Women's Chess Championship is back.

Chess Queen™ GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, 12th Women's World Chess Champion, has agreed once again to act as Judge to select this year's winner!

Goddesschess has sponsored a special prize at the U.S. Women's Chess Championship since 2007, except for 2012.

2007: Goddesschess 'Brillancy Prize' of $300 and was awarded to Elizabeth Vicary Spiegel for her win against Camille Baginskaite. Elizabeth is one of the coaches at IS 318 in Brooklyn, New York, a program that has gained international recognition for its excellence!

2008: Goddesschess Fighting Chess Award of $500 was awarded to Tatev Abrahamyan for her performance of 6 wins and 3 losses - no draws! Goddesschess' contribution was $350 and Chessville.com contributed $150 to make the total prize $500.

2009: Anna Zatonskih not only swept away the entire field of players and finished the Championship with an outstanding 8.5/9, she also won the Fighting Chess Award. She did not sit back in the later stages of play and coast to victory, even after it was clear that no one would be able to catch her.

2010: Goddesschess teamed with 9 Queens and offered a Fighting Spirit Award of $1,000! The winner, selected by GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, was Tatev Abrahamyan, for her uncompromising play: she finished in 3rd place, although tied with Anna Zatonskih (who finished in 2nd place overall) with an incredible 7.5/9. Tatev had 7 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

2011: GM Alexandra Kosteniuk chose Sabina Foisor as the winner! You can read Chess Queen Kosteniuk's post on Chessblog about selecting the winner of the 2011 Goddesschess Fighting Chess Award.

Here's a nice note from Goddesschess' Jan Newton: "We are very grateful to have obtained the assistance of great players in awarding the Goddesschess Fighting Chess/Fighting Spirit Award! And despite her busy schedule, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk agreed to act as our judge again this year! Thank you so much!"

We are delighted as well. After all, the 12th Women's World Chess Champion is known for her unique fighting chess style and taking all games right down to the wire.

This year's line-up at the USWCC includes:

IM Anna Zatonskih (2506)

IM Irina Krush (2489)

WGM Tatev Abrahamyan (2409)

WGM Sabina Foisor (2397)

WGM Camilla Baginskaite (2358)

WIM Viktorija Ni (2353)

WIM Iryna Zenyuk (2341)

WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia (2334)

WFM Sarah Chiang (2238)

WFM Alena Kats (2229)