WIM Alice Lee Earns First IM Norm!

WIM Alice Lee can't stop winning. The star of ChessKid's "Alice's Pawn Palace" and recent winner of yet another world championship has just earned her first IM (International Master) norm at the 2022 Southwest Class Championship in Ft. Worth, Texas!

She tied for fourth place, scoring 6.0/9, and was even briefly leading the entire tournament after seven rounds. In fact, after round one, she played eight FIDE-titled players in her final eight rounds!

Somehow she looked just fine when it was all done. Earning a norm has that effect on people (I am told!):

WIM/FM Alice Lee now has two FIDE titles to pick from! Photo courtesy of the Lee family.

This is her first IM norm. She needs two more and a few more rating points to become the second-ever ChessKid ChessGirl born in the USA to earn the title (here's look at you Carissa Yip!). Alice has picked up more than 300 FIDE rating points in less than one year and after this tournament will eclipse 2300, making her eligible for the FM title as well.

WIM Alice Lee's FIDE rating chart. Only the pandemic could slow her down! Screenshot courtesy fide.com.

Here is her win against the eventual third place winner, an IM. Notice how she had a draw by repetition, but decided to play on because she believed in herself and her position. A great lesson!

The amazing performance comes just after FM Ryo Chen earned his first IM norm in Charlotte last month. Speaking of which, Ryo and FM Tani Adewumi were also in Ft. Worth and both scored an impressive 5.5/9, just behind Alice.

Alice's first seven rounds were as good as it gets: Three wins and draws against FMs and a win and a draw against IMs!

Congratulations to Alice, Ryo, and Tani for their continued success. A reminder that you can be a part of their journey. Along with CM Brewington Hardaway, these four stars will all be trying for IM norms next month in a return to Charlotte. Please help now with whatever contribution you can give to help this amazing collection of talented ChessKids.