2010 U.S. Women's Chess Championship - Field SET - AT LAST!

Excerpted and modified from report at the United States Chess Federation:

10-player field and will feature nine rounds of tournament play. Reigning U.S. Women's Champion Anna Zatonskih to defend her title this year in Saint Louis against a strong field of contenders.

"Encouraging more women and juniors to play chess are both vital goals of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis," said Executive Director Tony Rich. "So we are very excited to host the tournaments simultaneously."

Grandmaster commentary will be provided by GM Ben Finegold and WGM Jennifer Shahade. Saint Louis resident and #1-ranked US player GM Hikaru Nakamura will also provide special commentary for two days yet to be determined.

The field for the 2010 U.S. Women's Championship is as follows:

•IM Anna Zatonskih: Defending Champion (2518, #1 US)
•IM Irina Krush: Rating (2493, #2 US)
•WGM Camilla Baginskaite: Rating (2387, #4 US)
•WGM Sabina Foisor: Rating (2356, #5 US)
•WGM Katerina Rohonyan: Wildcard (2331)
•WIM Alisa Melekhina: Rating (2323, #7 US)
•WFM Iryna Zenyuk: U.S. Women's Open Champion (2305)
•WFM Abby Marshall: Rating (2211, #11 US)
•WFM Tatev Abrahamyan: Rating (2342, #6 US)
•WIM Beatriz Marinello: Rating (2206, #13 US)

The 2010 U.S. Women's Championship will feature a $65,000 prize fund, the largest prize fund in the history of the tournament. The breakdown is as follows:

1st: $16,000
2nd: $12,000
3rd: $9,000
4th: $7,000
5th: $5,500
6th: $4,500
7th: $3,500
8th: $3,000
9th: $2,500
10th: $2,000

July 16 will be the player's rest day, which will feature an all-day celebration in honor of the two-year anniversary of the CCSCSL. The event will feature a block party and special appearances by top-level grandmasters and members of the professional tennis team the Saint Louis Aces including special guests to be named.

Spectators are encouraged to come down to the club to enjoy the commentary and witness the action live. Games begin at 2 PM Local time (3 PM EST) each day. Live spectators need only to purchase a club membership, which is just $5/month for students or $12/month for adults. The live streaming coverage of grandmaster commentary and play-by-play can be followed online at www.uschesschamps.com.

Complete Schedule of Championship Events

Friday, July 9, 2010 - Arrival Day
6:00pm - Opening Ceremony, Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd

Saturday, July 10, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm - Round 1

Sunday, July 11, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm - Round 2

Monday, July 12, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm - Round 3

Tuesday, July 13, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm - Round 4

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm - Round 5

Thursday, July 15, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm - Round 6

Friday, July 16, 2010
Players' Rest Day
All-Day Activities Celebrating Two-year Anniversary of the CCSCSL

Saturday, July 17, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm - Round 7

Sunday, July 18, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm, Round 8

Monday, July 19, 2010
2:00pm - 8:00pm, Round 9

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
10:00am - 12:00pm - Possible Tie Breaker
12:00pm - 5:00pm - Community Day
7:00pm - 9:00pm - Closing Ceremony and Reception