By Minna Wang
Salt Lake City

August 20, 2010

A couple weeks ago I wrote in to ChessInUtah about my initial impressions and thoughts on the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls. I was able to participate and represent Utah at this prestigious all-girls event. Following are my final experiences and results from the tournament.

The rest of the week at the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls was almost the same as the first couple days, except that a tournament took place the last two days. On the second-to-last day we first had training before lunch, and afterwards we had three rounds of USCF rated tournament play. My first game was most likely the hardest and the one that sealed my fate. It was against a girl rated about 1600 to 1700, if I remember right, and it was towards the end of the game when we were equal in pieces and position that I made my mistake. Because she was losing by time, I figured that I could win easily, but I forgot the rule that if an illegal move was made then my opponent would receive three extra minutes. With these three minutes I fell under time pressure and thus lost the game.

Minna Wang with GM Susan Polgar

All in all, sparing the details of the rest of my five games, I lost two games, drew two games, and won two games, coming out with a score of three points out of six, which isn't bad considering my rating compared to all the other players.

Anyhow, the SPNI was a great experience and I met so many new people. Once again I would like to thank the Utah Chess Association for their contribution, and Stephanie Pitcher, because without her I wouldn't have been able to do this. Of course Zandro Santiago and the Weber County Library Board for everything from help to donations to teaching me chess. And last but not least, my family and especially my parents for cheering me on and helping me through all of this. Thank you.

Minna contemplates her next move in the Blitz

Minna's round 3 game in the regular SPNI tournament

More pictures of the SPNI and tournament results can be found at www.chessdailynews.com