Rajendra Tops 18 & Younger at National All-Girls

• 
• 

• Details
• Written by Lawrence Cohen

Anupama Rajendra was the top scorer in the 18 and Under section of the 2012 edition of the Kasparov Chess Foundation National All-Girls tournament with 5 points out of 6. She started the tournament with a draw against top rated (at 2085) Anna Matlin, who finished second. Along the way to the 5 points were victories against 3 expert rated players. This section had 5 experts and 2 A class players playing in the event. Yet with a listed rating under 1600 Anupama Rajendra was the winner, and will represent the US in the 2012 World Youth championships.

There were good performances by other Illinois players. In the 16 and younger section Caeley Harihara was tied for third, but finished in sixth on tie-breaks. In the 12 and Younger section Toly Anjali finished tied for second, but finished in third on tie-breaks. And in the 10 and younger section Miranda Liu finished in third, even after the tie-breaks.

There was some serious chess being player over the weekend (of April 20-22) by these girls. In the top section four of the six games on board one were draws. I saw one position in the 12 and younger section that I would not wanted to have been playing from either side. But, there was also fun had by the girls. It was nice to see the smiles on the girls faces, especially in the lower section after they heard from outside through the shut doors “mommy I won!”

Crosstables.