Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

[Vadim Tsypin]

Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship 2017 serving as Provincial qualifying event for the 2017 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational.

Organized by the Chess 'n Math Association on behalf of the Quebec Chess Federation.

Rated: FIDE / CFC / FQE / CMA.

2017 Quebec Girls Championship acting as a provincial qualification tournament to the SPFGI. GM Susan Polgar and Webster University are inviting Canadian girls to participate in “The 14th Annual Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational” scheduled to take place at Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri (July 2017, exact dates TBA). The event will offer more than $200K in prizes and scholarships. The annual Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational is the most prestigious all-girls event in the United States.

Eligibility: Female players under 19 years old on January 01, 2017, who reside in Quebec. Players must have been enrolled in a school (up to 12th grade) located in Quebec for the 2016-17 school year. Home-schooled students who are 19 or under in the year in which the event is held or students who have never attended traditional college on a full time basis prior to July 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, are eligible. The participants have to be members in good standing of the Quebec Chess Federation.

Format: Regular Swiss, 5 rounds.
Time Control: Game in 90 minutes plus 30 second increments per move.
Chief Arbiter: Larry Bevand, IA.

When: February 10-12, 2017
Where: Chess’n Math Association
3423 St-Denis, 4th floor, Montreal, Quebec H2X 3L2 (Metro Sherbrooke).

Follow the tournament here.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

Congratulations to WIM Maïli-Jade Ouellet who won an Armageddon game to break the tie for the first place and became the new Québec champion among girls under 20.

Thanks to all the players who took part. The Chess 'n Math Association gave a special prize to the youngest participant, Gabrielle Sirois, who, despite being only six years old, was capable to play five hard-fought games of standard chess.

The final results are available here.

[Andrei Botez]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

The dates are set for 2017 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational: July 22–27, 2017

14th Annual SPF Girl’s Invitational Rules & Conditions
July 22–27, 2017 at Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri)

(Over $200K in scholarships + $7,500 cash prizes)

The Annual SPF Girls’ Invitational, in its 14th year, is the most prestigious All-Girls event in the United States. It is also the first All-Girls event approved and sanctioned by the USCF back in 2003. It is an invitational event, and will once again be held at Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri).

Each state, as well as each country in the American Continent (South, Central, and North America), is allowed to nominate one representative. Each Canadian province is allowed one representative to be nominated.

Special qualifying events: The Polgar Committee will award automatic qualifying spots to the reigning winners in each section of the annual Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Girls and the Susan Polgar Foundation World Open for Girls (Canadian players are more welcomed).

Webster University will provide complimentary room and meal accommodation on campus for all qualifiers!
•There will be an intense training session with Susan Polgar and members of the SPICE team, followed by a 6 round (g/90+30) FIDE-rated championship tournament.
•The traditional Blitz, Puzzle Solving, Bughouse events will stay the same as in previous years.
•There will be many chess prizes awarded, as well as scholarships to Webster University.

Official representatives should be nominated by June 1, 2017. Official representative alternates may be substituted no later than July 10, 2017. (Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may allow the host state to enter an additional qualified player.) Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may allow exceptions to the June 1 entry/alternate deadline. Should the state affiliate fail to respond to the notice for this tournament, Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee may determine the candidate from that state or country.

Players must have been enrolled in a school (up to 12th grade) located in the state/province or country they represent, also of the year in which the tournament is held. Home-schooled students who are under the age of 19 on July 22nd of the year in which the event is held or students who have never attended college on a full time basis prior to June 1 of the year in which the tournament is held, are eligible to represent the state/province in which they reside.

Exception: If a player graduates from high school early and is already attending college, she may still represent her state if nominated. This is the decision of each state/province affiliate or country.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The participants of the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational DO NOT have to be high school students (they can also be in kindergarten, elementary, or middle school too). All qualifiers must be under the age of 19 (by July 22nd of the year in which the tournament is held)!

Special invitation for this year: All past participants of the SPNI and SPFGI (Susan Polgar National Invitational/Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational 2004–2016) are invited to participate in the 2017 SPFGI. The idea is to have the past participants learn my method of training so they can go back home and share their knowledge with the younger players. However, registration MUST be made ASAP since space is limited. There will be mutual training sessions for all, however separate section & prizes for alumni participants over the age of 19.

Players are required to furnish the organizer an emergency phone number and the e-mail address of a parent/guardian.

There is no entry fee to participate in the 2017 SPFGI; however, players are responsible for their own travel.

For alumni participants, wild card/special invites, coaches, parents, or other family members, inexpensive accommodations are available for housing and dining on Webster’s campus. Please note that all reservations and registrations MUST be made (and accommodation expenses prepaid) no later than June 15, 2017.

Prizes: Trophies / plaques will be awarded to the winners of the Susan Polgar Foundation Girl’s Invitational Puzzle Solving, Blitz, Bughouse and the SPFGI Championship. Co-champions are recognized in the case of a tie, with each champion receiving a Champion’s Plaque or Trophy.

The Champion (or Co-Champions) of the main event will automatically be invited to defend her/their title (must meet age requirement).

Champion: Webster University scholarship* (full tuition and fees approximately $26,000 + per year x 4 years) Champion’s Cup.
2nd place: Webster University scholarship (approximately $14,000 + per year x 4 years)

3rd place: Webster University scholarship (approximately $12,000 + per year x 4 years)

In case of a tie, a playoff will be used to determine the level of scholarships.

*The scholarships to Webster University must be exercised no later than Fall of 2020, and are not transferable. In addition, these scholarships cannot be combined with other academic scholarships, or stacked. If players won scholarships in past events, they can choose to exercise the highest one.

Additional cash scholarships this year!

1st place = $2,500

2nd place = $1,500

3rd place = $1,000

Top under 13 = $500

Top under 10 = $500

Triple-crown champion (main event, blitz, and puzzle solving) = $1,000

Biggest upset prize (each round) = $50 x 6 = $300 gift certificate

Best dressed player = $100 gift certificate

Best written essay about the SPFGI experience = $100 gift certificate

There will also be additional surprise prizes which challenge intellect and wit.

In case of a tie, cash prizes will be shared.

The Polgar Committee’s goal is to have all 50 states (including two representatives for California, and two for Missouri), the District of Columbia, as well as each country in the American Continent (South, Central, and North America) represented. We strongly encourage each state and the District of Columbia affiliate to hold a scholastic championship tournament to determine each state’s champion and representative. Failing this, rating criteria may be acceptable. A scholastic girls’ champion or the highest rated girls’ scholastic player in a state who has no state affiliate of the USCF should contact the Polgar Committee as soon as possible.

Susan Polgar and/or the Polgar Committee and its members may elect to award a limited number of wild cards each year for the Susan Polgar Girl’s Invitational.

Andrei Botez
SPFGI Committee member/ Canadian team representative

[Gary Hua]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

Can we know when is the Ontario or other provinces qualifying event going to be held ?

Thanks

Gary Hua

[Hugh Brodie]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

It looks like Alberta already had theirs.

http://www.albertachess.org/2016ASPFGIQ.php

There were 3 entries.

http://www.chess.ca/crosstable?tourn...8224181fa46b28

[Vadim Tsypin]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

Thank you Andrei for posting this timely and exciting information about the 2017 edition of the SPGFI. As always, Canadian girls are very grateful to you for negotiating the inclusion of representatives from all provinces and your tireless work as a national co-ordinator.

Gary: Yes, definitely, for the second year in a row the Chess 'n Math Association is proud to organize provincial SPFGI qualifiers for both Ontario and Quebec. Historically, the Ontario event is a couple of months later than the Montreal one. In 2016, Francis Rodrigues organized a very successful qualifier in Toronto - expertly directed by Mario Moran-Venegas - in May. Larry Bevand and Francis are currently holding discussions about the 2017 date for Ontario. An announcement will follow.

[Andrei Botez]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

2017 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational Tournament

This is the list of Canadian official representative for this year (I will try to keep the list up to date):

Alberta: Lucy Chao
Quebec: WIM Maïli-Jade Ouellet


All past Canadian participants of the SPNI and SPFGI (Susan Polgar National Invitational/Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational 2004–2016) are invited to participate in the 2017 SPFGI. The idea is to have the past participants learn my method of training so they can go back home and share their knowledge with the younger players. However, registration MUST be made ASAP since space is limited. There will be mutual training sessions for all, however separate section & prizes for alumni participants over the age of 19.


Andrei

[Vadim Tsypin]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

Gary: Yes, definitely, for the second year in a row the Chess 'n Math Association is proud to organize provincial SPFGI qualifiers for both Ontario and Quebec. Historically, the Ontario event is a couple of months later than the Montreal one. In 2016, Francis Rodrigues organized a very successful qualifier in Toronto - expertly directed by Mario Moran-Venegas - in May. Larry Bevand and Francis are currently holding discussions about the 2017 date for Ontario. An announcement will follow.

Here's the exciting news: The CMA is trying to rotate between different locations in order to make participation more accessible for all young players, so this year's Ontario qualifier for the 2017 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational Tournament will be held in the national capital, Ottawa.

The exact date (May or early June) and format will be announced shortly. So that we can avoid a potential conflict, I am asking interested parents and fellow tournament organizers to kindly indicate any dates when other ON tournaments are held during these months. The list on the CFC site doesn't really mention much. So far, I know about the CMA's Canadian Chess Challenge in Toronto on May 21-22 and the EOCA's Ontario Open in Ottawa on May 20-22.

[Erik Malmsten]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

Here's the exciting news: The CMA is trying to rotate between different locations in order to make participation more accessible for all young players, so this year's Ontario qualifier for the 2017 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational Tournament will be held in the national capital, Ottawa.

The exact date (May or early June) and format will be announced shortly. So that we can avoid a potential conflict, I am asking interested parents and fellow tournament organizers to kindly indicate any dates when other ON tournaments are held during these months. The list on the CFC site doesn't really mention much. So far, I know about the CMA's Canadian Chess Challenge in Toronto on May 21-22 and the EOCA's Ontario Open in Ottawa on May 20-22.

OYCC, Kitchener, is May 6-7. Some local junior events on CFC site are May 13, 20, 22.

Hal Bond, Guelph, has booked Jun 24-25 for ProAm but construction may change it.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

OYCC, Kitchener, is May 6-7. Some local junior events on CFC site are May 13, 20, 22.

Hal Bond, Guelph, has booked Jun 24-25 for ProAm but construction may change it.

Thank you Erik! Duly noted.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Re: Quebec Girls’ Chess Championship / SPFGI Qualifier

This year, the Chess 'n Math Association has selected two best Ontario female players by rating to become provincial delegates to the 2017 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational (SPFGI) in St-Louis:
1) WGM Qiyu Zhou
2) WFM Svitlana Demchenko
This choice was confirmed by the Canadian national representative Andrei Botez.

Congratulations to those very worthy delegates! In continuing its tradition of support for women's chess, the CMA will subsidize, as in the previous year, transportation to St.Louis, MO, for the top girl from Ontario (#1; failing her, #2).