The U.S. Women's Championship at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis  ended with a very decisive winner in IM Anna Zatonskih, who not only took the title and $15,000 first prize but also the automatic spot in the 2010 US Championship and one of the two Women’s World Championship spots on offer - and in some style with a final round victory over Yun Fan for a dominating +8 final score of 8.5/9!

She was a full two points clear of her nearest rival in runner-up and former champion WGM Camilla Baginskait, who with a last round victory over WGM Sabina Foiser not only took second prize of $12,000 but also secured for herself the second qualifying spot for the Women’s World Championship.  

One of the pre-tournament favorites, IM Irina Krush, lost a decisive final round battle to WFM Tatev Abrahamyan and thus had to settle for a share of equal 3rd-4th place with WIM Alisa Melekhina. 

Also checkout the Chess.fm/blog for all the videos and reflections on yet another successful event from St. Louis. There’s also more video, reports and final standings at the official site at uschesschamps.com.