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Alice Lee (chess player)

Alice Teresa Lee (born October 13, 2009) is an American chess player with the titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). She is the youngest American female, and the third youngest female worldwide, to achieve the IM title. Her tournament victories include winning the 2024 Women's American Cup, being a two-time U.S. Girls' Junior Champion, a three-time World Youth Champion, and earning two medals at the Chess Olympiads.

Alice Lee
CountryUnited States
Born (2009-10-13) October 13, 2009 (age 15)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
TitleInternational Master (2023)
Woman Grandmaster (2023)
Peak rating2406 (November 2023)

Early career

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Alice Lee started playing chess at age 6 in her school’s chess club, where her older brother was already a member.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

By age 8, she had already earned the title of US Chess Expert, and by age 10, she had become a US Chess National Master (NM).[2][7] At age 9, she won the under-18 section of the 2019 National Girls Championships.[8][9]

U.S. Women's Championships

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Lee began competing in the U.S. Women's Championship at age 12.[10][11][12]

At age 13, she secured a clear third place in the 2023 championship with a score of 7.5/11.[13]

Women's American Cup

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Lee has set several records at the Women's American Cup, becoming both the youngest participant and the youngest winner of the tournament. She claimed the championship in 2024 and finished as the runner-up twice.

At age 12, she secured second place at the 2022 Women's American Cup, delivering a series of surprising victories.[14][15]

At age 13, she again finished second at the 2023 Women's American Cup. She tied two classical matches with GM Irina Krush before losing in the rapid playoffs.[16][17]

At age 14, she won the 2024 Women's American Cup by defeating GM Irina Krush in the Grand Final. Her victory places her alongside Bobby Fischer and Irina Krush as one of the youngest players to win a major chess title in the United States.[18][19][20][21][22]

U.S. Junior Championships

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Lee began competing in the US Girls' Junior Championships when she was 10 years old.

At age 13, she won the 2023 US Girls' Junior Championship with a score of 7.5/9, making her the youngest winner in the tournament's history.[23][24]

At age 14, she successfully defended her title at the 2024 US Girls' Junior Championship.[25][26]

World Youth Championships

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Lee is a three-time gold medalist at the World Youth Championships (under-10 girls section in 2019; under-12 girls section in 2020; under-12 girls section in 2021).[27][28][29] She was also the winner of the online FIDE Youth Rapid World Cup (under-12 girls section in 2021).[30]

International Team Competitions

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Lee began representing the USA Women's Team in international competitions at age 13. So far, she has won three medals: two from the Chess Olympiads (a team bronze and an individual silver) and one from the World Team Championships (an individual gold).

At age 13, Lee played on the top board for Team USA at the 2023 World Women's Team Championship, where she won the individual gold medal with a score of 7.5/11. The U.S. women’s team achieved their best-ever finish in the tournament, placing 4th.[31][32]

At age 14, she competed in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, helping Team USA secure its first medal in 16 years by winning the bronze. With a score of 8/10, she also earned the individual silver medal on board 4.[33]

Other Notable Tournaments

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At age 14, Lee became the youngest participant of the Cairns Cup, one of the world's strongest female super tournaments.[34] She finished with a score of 4/9.[35]

FIDE titles/ratings

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Lee is the youngest American female to achieve the IM title (at 13 years and 7 months old), breaking the previous record held by Carissa Yip (at 16 years and 1 month old).[4] Worldwide, Lee is one of three female players to earn the IM title at age 13, joining GMs Judit Polgár and Kateryna Lagno.[1][36]

At age 11, she earned the WIM title by winning the under-18 girls section of the 2021 North American Youth Championships.[37]

At age 12, she earned her FM title, first International Master (IM) norm, and first Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm at the 2022 Southwest Class Championships.[38][39]

At age 13, she won a second IM norm and a second WGM norm at the 2023 1000GM St. Louis IM Norm Tournament.[4][40]

At age 13, she crossed the 2400 live rating mark after the first two rounds during the 2023 1000GM NYC IM Norm Tournament, thereby fulfilling the rating requirement for the IM title.

At age 13, she won her final IM norm and final WGM norm at the 2023 Canadian Transnational Championship and hence qualified for both the IM and WGM titles.[4][36]

In November 2023, as Lee's FIDE rating reached 2406, she became the world's #46 rated female player and the #2 rated female player in the USA and the Americas.

Notable games

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At the 2022 Southwest Class Championships, Lee defeated IM Viktor Gazik (2543) to clinch her first IM and WGM norms.[38][39]

At the 2023 Pro Chess League, she defeated GM Matthias Bluebaum (2661) (Berlin Bears) and GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2700) (Croatia Bulldogs) to help St. Louis Arch Bishops reach the playoffs; in the quarter finals, she drew GM Hikaru Nakamura (2775) (Gotham Knights).[1][41][42][43][44]

At the 2023 Canadian Transnational Championship, she defeated two GMs, including GM Arturs Neiksans (2605), and drew four other GMs, including GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista (2617). A performance rating of 2531 secured her final IM and WGM norms.

At the 2024 Women's American Cup, she defeated GM Irina Krush (2421) in the Grand Final to become one of the youngest players to win a major chess title in the United States.[45]

At the 2024 Cairns Cup, she defeated former Women's World Champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2501) in the fourth round.

At the 2024 World Open, she defeated GM Tuan Minh Le (2568) in the fourth round.

Other chess activities and awards

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In July 2023, Lee was interviewed by Good Morning America after becoming the youngest American female IM.[46]

At age 10, she began co-hosting the Chesskid.com show "Alice's Pawn Palace" alongside FM Mike Klein.[47]

As an ambassador for Chesskid.com, she took part in various Chesskid.com and Chess.com activities.[48][49][50][51]

She was chosen for the Frank P. Samford, Jr. Chess Fellowship in 2022, 2023, and 2024.[52]

She won the US Chess "Young Player of The Year" award in 2024, marking her as the first female player to achieve this distinction.[53]

In May 2024, the Minnesota Senate passed a resolution to congratulate Alice Lee on her American Cup victory and extraordinary chess career.[54][55]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Barden, Leonard (June 23, 2023). "Teenager Alice Lee sets new landmark for US women's chess after online feats". The Guardian. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Lee, Alice (July 14, 2021). "I'm 11 and the Youngest Chess Master in the 2021 U.S. Junior Championships'". Newsweek. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  3. ^ Chalifoux, Mark (July 21, 2021). "Real Life 'Queen's Gambit'? An 11-Year-Old Prodigy Is Making Chess History". The Dad. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Lawrence, AL (June 15, 2023). "Alice Lee Breaks Yip's Record, Becomes Youngest American Female IM". US Chess. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  5. ^ Flores, Tatiana (May 28, 2023). "A Rising Chess Star: An interview with Alice Lee". ChessBase. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  6. ^ Ki, Nicole (September 13, 2023). "North Oaks teen is youngest American girl to become chess international master". MPR News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Anna, Leonard (June 2, 2024). "Alice Lee, a 14-year-old North Oaks chess master, demonstrates discipline in the game of high strategy". Yahoo/Pioneer Press. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  8. ^ US Chess (April 14, 2019). "Results Are In At The 16th Annual KCF All Girls Nationals". US Chess. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  9. ^ Dynako, Betsy (April 16, 2019). "From Princess Leias To Queens Of Chicago: The 16th KCF All Girls Nationals". US Chess. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  10. ^ Colodro, Carlos (October 20, 2022). "Fabiano Caruana is the 2022 U.S. champion". ChessBase. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  11. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club (October 5, 2022). "Alice Lee: Didn't Expect to Beat Ashritha – Round 1". Saint Louis Chess Club. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  12. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club (October 13, 2022). "Alice Lee: Didn't Want to Lose on My Birthday – Round 8". Saint Louis Chess Club. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  13. ^ International Chess Federation (October 18, 2023). "2023 U.S. Championships: Fabiano Caruana and Carissa Yip win titles". FIDE. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Hansen, Carsten (April 29, 2022). "Caruana, Krush Crowned Champions: The American Cup Day 9". Chess.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club (April 21, 2022). "Alice Lee: Still a Bit in Shock! - Day 2". Saint Louis Chess Club. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  16. ^ Hansen, Carsten (March 26, 2023). "Krush Extends Queenship, So Dominates Nakamura In Tiebreaker". Chess.com. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  17. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club (March 17, 2023). "Alice Lee: I have Chances Against Anybody – Day 1". Saint Louis Chess Club. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  18. ^ Benchaabane, Nassim (March 22, 2024). "14-year-old chess prodigy wins elite tournament in St. Louis". Saint Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  19. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club, Nassim (March 27, 2024). "International Master Alice Lee and Grandmaster Levon Aronian Win American Cup Women's and Open Tournaments". Saint Louis Chess Club. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  20. ^ Chess.com (March 21, 2024). "14-Year-Old Alice Lee Wins Women's American Cup In Blitz Playoffs". Chess.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Erdahl, Kent (March 25, 2024). "North Oaks' 14-year-old chess master adds elite title to impressive resume". KARE11. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  22. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club (March 21, 2024). "WATCH: Alice Lee FINALLY Beats Irina Krush to Win the Cup! - Day 10". Saint Louis Chess Club. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  23. ^ US Chess (July 24, 2023). "Lee and Khachiyan clinch titles, Junior Up for Grabs After Action-Packed Turn". US Chess. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  24. ^ US Chess (July 26, 2023). "Wednesday Workout: TV's Alice Lee!". US Chess. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  25. ^ Doggers, Peter (July 26, 2024). "Akopian, Lee, Yoo Winners At U.S. National Championships". Chess.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  26. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club (July 29, 2024). "IM Alice Lee, GM Christopher Yoo and GM Vladimir Akopian Crowned Winners in U.S. Girls, Junior and Senior Championships in Saint Louis". Business Wire. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  27. ^ Shahade, Jennifer (September 1, 2019). "Newsflash: Liran Zhou And Alice Lee Earn Gold In China, Bronze For Li And Yan". US Chess. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  28. ^ Lee, Alice (January 13, 2021). "My Adventurous Gold Medal Run". ChessKid. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  29. ^ Lee, Alice (January 24, 2022). "2021 Super Final Champion: Third Time is a Charm!". ChessKid. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  30. ^ Jerauld, Brian (September 2, 2021). "Christopher Yoo, Alice Lee Win 2021 FIDE Online Cadets Rapid World Cup". US Chess. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  31. ^ Lang, JJ (September 12, 2023). "USA Finishes Fourth in FIDE Women's World Team Championship". US Chess. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  32. ^ West, Vanessa (September 12, 2023). "Top Seeds Take Cinderella's Glass Slipper, Georgia Wins Gold Ahead of Kazakhstan". Chess.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  33. ^ Lang, JJ (September 25, 2024). "Two Team, Three Individual Medals for Americans as India Takes Double Gold at 45th FIDE Olympiad". US Chess. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  34. ^ Lang, JJ (June 13, 2024). "Cairns Cup Begins Today in St. Louis". US Chess. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  35. ^ Sands, David (June 25, 2024). "Lee impresses, but Tan takes the top prize in chess at hard-fought Cairns Cup". Washington Times. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  36. ^ a b West, Vanessa (June 15, 2023). "13-Year-Old Alice Lee Earns IM Title". Chess.com. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  37. ^ Murphy, Liam (August 23, 2021). "Tani, Alice Win International Titles At North American Youth". ChessKid. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  38. ^ a b Root, Alexey (February 22, 2022). "Yoo, Javakhadze are Chess Winners, International Master Norm for Lee". ChessBase. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  39. ^ a b Klein, Mike (February 23, 2022). "WIM Alice Lee Earns First IM Norm!". ChessKid. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  40. ^ Lang, JJ (February 10, 2023). "Norm Hunter: A Dozen Norms in Two Months". US Chess. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  41. ^ West, Vanessa (March 4, 2023). "Adhiban Gains Perfect Score For Team MGD1, Lee Wins Upset Of Season For Arch Bishops". Chess.com. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  42. ^ Pro Chess League (March 4, 2023). "13-year-old FM Alice Lee Celebrates Huge Win Against A Grandmaster". Chess Clips. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  43. ^ Levin, Anthony (March 16, 2023). "Arch Bishops, Blitz Move To Playoffs; Alice Lee Upsets Super-GM, Caruana Goes 4/4". Chess.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  44. ^ Pro Chess League (March 16, 2023). "13 year-old Alice Lee is thrilled After Beating Chess Super Grandmaster!". Chess.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  45. ^ Saint Louis Chess Club (March 21, 2024). "The American Cup 2024: Day 10 – Rapid Grand Final & The American Cup Blitz". Saint Louis Chess Club. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  46. ^ ABC News (July 26, 2023). "Alice Lee celebrates International Chess Master title". ABC News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  47. ^ Chesskid (December 4, 2020). "Girl's Play Chess Too! Alice's Pawn Palace – Episode 1". Chesskid. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  48. ^ West, Vanessa (August 31, 2023). "Alice Lee Prevails vs. Tani Adewumi With Stunning Bullet Comeback". Chess.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  49. ^ West, Vanessa (November 18, 2023). "ChessKid Stars Defeat Harvard". Chess.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  50. ^ Levin, Anthony (February 27, 2024). "Team Wesley So & Alice Lee Kill With Kindness In Quarterfinals". Chess.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  51. ^ McGourty, Colin (September 24, 2024). "Alice Lee, Vaishali Win Thrillers To Reach Quarterfinals". Chess.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  52. ^ Lang, JJ (June 12, 2024). "2024 Samford Fellowship Winners Announced". US Chess.org.
  53. ^ US Chess (July 10, 2024). "2024 US Chess Awards Recipients". US Chess. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  54. ^ Minnesota Senate (May 1, 2024). "Minnesota Senate Resolution S.R. No. 96". Minnesota Senate. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  55. ^ Gustafson, Heather (May 7, 2024). "Senator Heather Gustafson Presents Honorary Resolution to North Oaks Women's American Cup Chess Champion". Minnesota Senate DFL. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
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