Left: Julia Kerr (2007 SPNI champ), Eve Zhurbinskiy, Linda Diaz (2008 SPNI 2nd place), Darrian Robinson and Abby Marshall (2-time SPNI champ) – Front row: Ellen Xiang, Evan Xiang, Michelle Chen, Anna Matlin and Alena Kuzniatsova at the 2007 SP All-Star Training at the NY Athletic Club
Right: Abby with her bughouse partner D. Robinson vs. 2009 SNPI champ C. Jamison and S. Yang
Abby Marshall, 2-time winner of the SP National Invitational for Girls (2005-2006), has just won the 2009 Denker tournament of HS Champion. She was the first female player to win 2 SPNI and now becomes the first female player to win the Denker.
Congratulations to Abby!
2005 SPNI co-champions: WIM Melekhina, WGM Corke, and Abby Marshall
Congratulations to Abby! Great job !
I think I have to give kudos to you as well Susan since without your creating such opportunities she may not have won Denker. We are very proud of all of you.
“I think I have to give kudos to you as well Susan since without your creating such opportunities she may not have won Denker.”
Come again? Before Abby played in her first SPNI, she had been the Ohio elementary school state champion, the OH middle school state champion, and the 7th grade national champion. Winning the Polgar twice over is certainly a badge of distinction, but it’s not like her victories there provided her with a much-needed shot of self-confidence or convinced her to stick with the game.
Susan deserves all the credit in the world for her efforts to promote chess at every level. But in this instance the honor is all Abby’s.
Signed,
A fan of Abby’s and Susans
Great job Abby! Kudos to Susan for giving girls opportunities. Thumbs down to the USCF for destroying the growth of chess in America.
I like the champion in the pink dress!
She is such an inspiration!!!! I love both Abby’s writing and chess. She is a hero to my daughter.
The gap between male and female chess players just got smaller. I would simply like to know what the Denker people are saying about all this.
What were the thoughts of the boys who just saw a girl do what would have been unthinkable years ago.
I am impressed.
http://www.claudiachess.blogspot.com
Great job Abby!!! Does anyone know who’s coaching Abby?
It’s been IM John Watson for the last few years. Prior to that, Abby was coached by Ohio NM Mark Morss, who worked with and mentored her free of charge from the time she was 9 until she turned 14 and moved out of state. Mark is the husband of one of the teacher’s at Abby’s old elementary school and has served as the volunteer chess there for, well, over 15 years. Abby owes a lot to Mark’s influence, including her passion for the King’s Gambit, which Mark and others are now trying to wean her from.
Jeff (aka Abby’s Dad)