Reported by Frank Niro.
Four girls from the region participated in this year’s Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational held on the campus of Webster University in suburban St. Louis, July 10-15, 2014. Olga Cheraphkin of Washington finished with four points to finish in a 7th place tie in the six-round 56-player event. Olga lost only to top scholarship winner Kimberly Ding of New Jersey and rising star Natassja Matus of Minnesota. Olga teamed with Katya Davis of New York to tie for first place in the bughouse side event.
Carmen Pemsler of Idaho also finished with a plus score (3.5 – 2.5) while Lauren Mei Calora of Oregon, playing in her first USCF-rated event, scored two points. The other Oregon resident, Andrea Botez, officially represented Canada and finished with an even score. Carmen played solidly throughout, losing only one game in the main event. She was one of the top finishers in the blitz tourney with 8-2, only a point out of clear first and good enough for a second place tie. All four NWC girls fared well in the blitz, finishing with a combined 24.5 – 14.5 record.
In the photo, Olga Cherepakhin of Washington (left) makes her first move against Kimberly Ding of New Jersey in their blitz match. More details, photos and games may appear in the October edition of Northwest Chess.
