Minnesota teen becomes youngest female American to win 2024 American Cup chess tournament
NORTH OAKS, Minn. — A North Oaks teen is making history in the chess world. Fourteen-year-old Alice Lee took home first place in the 2024 American Cup. She's the youngest female American to do so.
"It was really great," Lee said. "This was actually my first big national title to win."
It might have been her first big national title, but it's not her first time making history. Lee is a three-time World Youth Champ and recently was named an International Master. She's just one of three female players in chess history to achieve that ranking.
"I'm very happy for her," Lee's mom, Vanessa, said. "I think it's wonderful when a young person can achieve something extraordinary."
Extraordinary doesn't begin to cover it.
"It was kind of a breakthrough for me," Lee said. "Because I was playing the same opponent and losing to the previous years."
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That opponent was 40-year-old Irina Krush. In the chess world, Krush is considered one of the best of the best. She's an eight-time U.S. Women's Champion and a two-time American Cup winner. She's also the first and only American woman to earn the Grandmaster title.
"I think it's great that she has this achievement, and we really treasure this moment because these moments are very few in one's life," Vanessa said. "But they are always built on failures. The failures build these results."
Failures, memorizations and a whole lot of practice. Lee spends one to two hours daily on the game — even more time when she nears a competition.
"I really like the competitive nature of it," she said. "Some people will say chess is kind of like a sport."
A sport she plans to stick with for the long haul.
"Hopefully for my entire life," she said.
Outside of bragging rights, Lee took home $40,000. She wants to use the money towards college – and help fund future competitions.