Anjelina Belakovskaia

Anjelina-BelakovskaiaAnjelina Belakovskaia (1969-) was born in Odessa, Ukraine. She came to the United States to play competitive chess and became a naturalized U.S. citizen on November 24, 1999. After very difficult times as a newcomer to the U.S., she began studying at New York College and earned a master’s degree in financial mathematics in 2001. She’s an American chess player and holds the FIDE title Woman Grandmaster (WGM)

Natasha Christiansen and Alexey Root, November 15, 2025

No Draw Offers in Chess and a Playoff Under Protest

At the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Championship, three people told me that I lack fighting spirit. And that I have a peaceful nature. They are right. I like to offer draws, and I like to accept draw offers. Therefore, the best tournaments for me to play in would be those that prohibit offering draws. Then I would be forced to fight in my chess games, and my chess skills would likely improve. More 🡢
GM Vincent Keymer and Alexey Root

Prague International Chess Festival: Opening Ceremony

While in Prague for the World Senior Team Chess Championship, as a member of the USA Women 50+ team, I visited the Prague International Chess Festival. A former President of the Czech Republic was one of the speakers. At a post-ceremony reception, I briefly interviewed Grandmasters Liem Le and Vincent Keymer. More 🡢
Alexey Root and Anjelina Belakovskaia

U.S. Senior Women’s Championship

The first ever U.S. Senior Women’s Championship, an invitational for women 50 and older, was held November 3–5, 2023, at the Berkeley Chess School. The Eade Foundation was its sponsor, with help from US Chess. More 🡢
US Womens Chess Champions

U.S. Women’s Chess Championships: Participants, Champions, Crosstables

In the 60 U.S. Women’s Chess Championships held between 1937 and 2020, there have been 148 competitors. Of those, 29 have earned the title of U.S. Women’s Champion. This article provides some facts and graphics about those participants and champions, plus a link to crosstables. More 🡢
Norm Tournament

Women’s Chess Tournaments

In August of 2019, two women’s chess tournaments will be held in the US that SparkChess readers might like to play in or to support. From August 16-20, the Berkeley Chess School in California is hosting the Berkeley Summer International Master Norm Tournament. From August 17-18, the 2019 Texas Women’s Chess Championship will be held at the North Richland Hills Library. More 🡢