US Women’s Champion, Pan Am Youth Champion and 3-time Olympian
International Master Irina Krush was born on December 24, 1983 in Odessa, Ukraine. Her family immigrated to the New York City from Odessa just before she was 5 years old. It was her father who introduced her to the game of chess.
Irina has accomplished a lot already even at such a young age. She convincingly won the prestigious 1998 US Women’s Championship. In 2000, Irina became the first American Woman to earn the International Master title. In January 2003, Irina tied for first among women at the US Championship in Seattle.
Irina was one of the key World Team coaches in the Kasparov versus the World match on Microsoft Network. Irina has also represented the United States in the FIDE World Junior Championship for Girls and at the Pan American Youth Games. Irina won the bronze medal in 1998 and tied for first in 1999 at the World Junior Championship for Girls. She was the Gold Medallist in the 1998 Pan-American Youth Championships in Brazil with a perfect score of 7-0. Irina has been the top US Player (boys and girls) under age 16 several times.
She is arguably the best ever homegrown woman player in the United States. In 2001, she finished tied for first at the NY City Mayor’s Cup International Chess Tournament while gaining her first Men’s Grandmaster norm. Recently, Irina played the top board for the US Women’s Olympiad Team in Bled, Slovenia and finished 4th in best individual performance.
Irina played board 2 for the historic 2004 US Women’s Olympiad Silver Medalist Team, scoring 7.5 points in 12 games (5 wins, 2 losses, 5 draws).
The aspect she likes most about chess is the fight. Her other interests and hobbies include tennis, reading and shopping. Irina also loves to travel. Her favorite country is India and her favorite city is St. Petersburg, Russia. Irina is currently attending NY University. With tremendous chess talent and a wonderful personality, Irina is a wonderful role model for young girls and boys. 
Krush is cute! She’s much better looking than Kosteniuk.
I like Irena because she is such a nice person. of course I have only learned about her because of her chess.
I believe she was 14 when she won the US Womens Championship. I remember that. It was exciting for her and exciting for me. I always enjoy seeing young people do so well.
I will be there watching her play in the US Championship this year. of course there are now so many to cheer for. but I am sure Irina does not mind if I cheer for both Susan and her.
This is a good time for chess. Thank you Susan and Irena for being such a wonderful part of making it all happen.
Peace and Love
Tommy
All the best for Irina! In private and chess!
Happy 22nd. Birthday Irina !
Irina is truly amazing, attending college full time and maintaining such a high playing strength!
I have followed her games for the past 6 years and have always enjoyed seeing the fighting spirit with which she plays every game.
Best of luck, Irina, in the U.S. Championship next year.