Entering the final round, Belakovskaia was the sole leader with 3½/4, but three players were just a half-point behind, leaving the championship still up for grabs. Varinia Cabrera would be paired with the white pieces against Belakovskaia with a chance to tie for first with a victory. Similarly, the victor in the game between WIM Beatriz Marinello and WFM Olga Sagalchik on board two would also have a chance to tie for first (depending on the result on board one), so the stakes were high.

The final round provided every bit of drama and tension you could ask for in a U.S. Championship. Belakovskaia, who would be champion with a win, blundered with 18. …Bg6, losing a piece and opening the door for Cabrera to seize control of the game. As the games went on, it looked like Cabrera had a solid winning position entering the third hour of play.

The game on board two looked drawish with a rook, knight, and pawns endgame, giving Cabrera hopes of a most improbable upset victory to win the U.S. Championship. Sagalchik’s 39. …f5 looked like it gave away a pawn and the positional edge as well when suddenly, Marinello blundered with 48. Nb5, losing a piece and forcing her resignation: a very sudden turnaround in a high stakes game.

Moments after Marinello’s blunder, Belakovskaia’s resilience and determination paid off, as Cabrera blundered with 41. Kg2, dropping a piece. Belakovskaia then continued to put pressure and eventually won the game.

WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia showed pure grit in a game where she found herself trailing, finding the resilience and composure to focus and find best moves in the most trying of times. This was a championship performance to win the inaugural U.S. Women’s Championship. It really was an amazing and thrilling championship round!

It is fitting that The Berkeley Chess School was the host of this inaugural event, the first week-end in November. The school itself has been a lifelong labor of love for its founder Elizabeth Shaughnessy. The new Berkeley Chess School building and design had been a dream many years in the making, and through much community support and perseverance, is starting to become a reality. It was made a reality in time to host this historic event.

Just as the Berkeley Chess School has undergone a renaissance, the organizer hopes that this event will likewise help create a renaissance for women participating in chess. Whether it is bringing back players to the game or introducing an older generation of new players wanting to learn the game, this event will surely help forward the goal of inspiring women to play. The women who participated in this tournament certainly led by example, and it was a joyous and competitive atmosphere throughout the weekend.

Once again, congratulations to the newest U.S. Champion, WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia!