L to R: Kimberly Ding, Natasha Morales Santos, Neeshmy Nunez Gonzales
Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational Finishes with Co-Champs from New Jersey, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica
July 16, 2014
The 11th Annual Susan Polgar Girls’ Invitational chess tournament, held July 10-15 at Webster University, wrapped up on Tuesday, July 15, in an unprecedented three-way tie.
The co-champions include top-seeded Kimberly Ding of New Jersey, Natasha Morales Santos of Puerto Rico and Neeshmy Nunez Gonzales of Costa Rica.
Ultimately, rules of FIDE, the International Chess Federation, determined the SPGI winning order. Therefore Ding took first place, wining a four-year all-tuition-and-fees scholarship to Webster, worth $100,000.
Morales Santos, who has played chess for only three years and also is legally blind, won second place, earning a four-year, $14,000 per year scholarship to Webster. Nunez Gonzales came in third, winning a four-year, $12,000 per year Webster scholarship.
Morales Santos will represent her home country of Puerto Rico at the 41st World Chess Olympiad, to be held Aug. 1 through 15 in Tromso, Norway.
Organized by Webster chess coach Susan Polgar, the tournament drew 56 girls from states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well Cuba, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico and Canada.The six-day event is considered the most prestigious all-girls chess event in the U.S.
A partnership between Webster University and the Susan Polgar Foundation, the six-round championship tournament awards more than $200,000 in chess scholarships and prizes.
Source: http://blogs.webster.edu
400 photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/116302832360230031699/2014SPFGIAtWebsterUniversity
Co-Champions (Scholarships to Webster U)
Kimberly Ding – $100,000 scholarship
Natasha Morales Santos (PUR) – $56,000 scholarship
Neeshmy Nunez Gonzales (CRC) -$48,000 scholarship
Under Age 10 Champion ($1,000 toward the World Youth)
$1,000
Nastassja Matus – 4.5 points
Under Age 12 Co-Champions ($1,000 toward the World Youth)
$333.33 each
Serafina Show – 4.0
Shreya Mangalam – 4.0
Thalia Cevantes Landiero (Cuba) – 4.0
Under Age 14 Co-Champions ($1,000 toward the World Youth)
$500 each
Katya Davis – 4.0
Naomi Santiago – 4.0
Under Age 16 Co-Champions ($1,000 toward the World Youth)
$500 each
Kimberly Ding – 5
Natasha Morales Santos (Puerto Rico) – 5
SPFGI Blitz Champion
Katya Davis 9/10
SPFGI Puzzle Solving Champion
Kimberly Ding 19.5/20
Bughouse Co-Champions
Diana Pereyra & Neeshmy Gonzales (won playoff)
Katya Davis & Olga Cherepakhin
Nice. Well done girls.
Susan Polgar Foundation always make progress, more innovative, success!