Rachel Li and Anna Zatonskih drew after 49 moves in an opposite-coloured bishop endgame, but the game could very nearly have ended shortly after it began. Zatonskih had the opportunity to force a draw by threefold repetition after only 14 moves, but as she explained during the game in the "Confessional", she would have considered that "unfair to Alice Lee".
Li therefore won the title in her very first appearance at the US Women's Championship and became the youngest player to do so on her debut. The youngest US women's champion of all time, however, remains Irina Krush, who won her first title at the age of 14.
This course offers a structured and practical introduction to the core elements of positional chess.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Strategic Classic: Bondarevsky - Smyslov
Irina Krush during her game against Tatev Abrahamyan | Photo: Crystal Fuller
After the game, Li thanked above all her older brother, grandmaster Ruifeng Li, who had helped her with her preparation. She also thanked her parents: "They were more nervous during the tournament than I was".
Alice Lee interviewed by Maurice Ashley
For her success, Li received $45,000 in prize money: $35,000 for first place, a $5,000 winner's bonus and a further $5,000 for the "Finish Strong Prize", a special award for the best result over the final six rounds.
Alice Lee defeated Anna Sargsyan and finished clear second, one point behind, earning $30,000 in prize money and qualification for the next Women's World Cup.
Alice Lee | Photo: Crystal Fuller
Krush finished third after defeating Abrahamyan in the final round. Rose Atwell produced an attractive combination in the last round, defeating Nazi Paikidze with a queen sacrifice.
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