NORTH OAKS, Minn. — At the age of 13, Alice Lee put the chess world on notice, becoming the youngest U.S. female to earn the title of international master.
Her win last week, at the age of 14, might be even more impressive.
By winning the American Cup in St. Louis, the North Oaks teen joins a very short list that includes the famed Bobby Fischer to claim a major title at the age of 14.
In order to do it, she had a beat a grand master, Irina Krush, who also accomplished the feat at the young age.
"I wasn't expecting it," Lee said. "Especially because the first match I played against her this tournament, I lost."
The loss meant that Lee had to work way back through the double-elimination tournament and then beat the 40-year-old, Krush, twice. A tall task considering Lee was competing against the eight-time U.S. Women's champion, considered by many to be the best active women's player in the country.
Lee: "I played against her four times in the two years previously and I lost all four matches, so for me, this year it was really great that I could overcome the bad results that I had against her in order to win the tournament."
Erdahl: "How do you balance all of that pressure and your busy schedule with being a 14-year-old who is still in high school?"
Lee: "Now that I'm in high school, it's become more of this task to balance more between school work and chess, so I'm doing online school. That means I can still do schoolwork even during tournaments, where I'm in another state or another place. For me it's still very fun — especially when I win — but there is also a new level of responsibility and there is some stress involved when I play in tournaments because I am hoping for results that are based on my level."
Erdahl: "Who got you interested in chess?"
Lee: "My brother (Linden Lee) was actually the one who got me interested in chess because when I was in first grade, he was in fifth grade and so he was going to the school chess club and my parents wanted to drop us off at the same time, so I tagged along also. Chess was really fun for me, especially when it started because it was all really new and I was just learning so much."
Erdahl: "Do you remember when you first beat your brother?"
Lee: "Yeah, it actually took a long time because my brother is a really good chess player as well. He's a national master as well. It was probably a couple years ago that I began to get better than him, although, of course, even now it's still very hard for me to beat him."
Erdahl: "I'm guessing he's pretty proud of you, too."
Lee: "Yeah, he is. He actually came for this American Cup tournament, because it was on his college spring break. He helped me sometimes with looking over my opponents and preparing for the next round."
Erdahl: "Just for other kids out there, who are maybe really into it, and want to test themselves, how much of a commitment is it?"
Lee: "Typically I spend, probably one or two hours a day now. Previously, I spent a lot more. Of course, there is a lot of work that you have to do, and learning, but I think enjoying the game, and being persistent, even if you have bad or unfavorable results is something that is extremely important. Psychology is actually a huge part of chess, so being able to mentally deal with losses and really enjoy chess is something, I think, that is the most important thing for young players trying to improve."
Kent: "Clearly you enjoy it, and clearly you're good at it, which always helps, right?"
Lee: "Yeah, it always helps, when you enjoy an activity and you're also good at it. I don't get too stressed during chess games, or chess tournaments, which means I am able to think pretty clearly while I am playing."
Winning also has it's perks. For her American Cup win, Lee took home a $40,000 prize, a luxury chess set, and a Tiffany bracelet. She said the bracelet is cool and so is the money, though she plans to save it for college and travel expenses for future tournaments.
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