GM Alexander Shabalov (USA) is the winner of the 2003 US Open Championship in Los Angeles, CA, with the impressive score of 10-2. He defeated GM Artashes Minasian in the final round with the Black pieces to clinch the US Open title. Going into the last round, GMs Gregory Kaidanov, Alexander Shabalov and Artashes Minasian were all tied with 9 points. GM Kaidanov was granted a half point bye in the last round prior to the start of the tournament so he can travel on a timely basis to participate in the Continental Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina. GMs Leonid Yudasin, Sarunas Sulkis, Aleks Wojtkiewicz, Gregory Kaidanov and IM Ricardo De Guzman tied for 2-6 with the score of 9.5-2.5.

WGM (IM-elect) Anna Zatonskih (USA) and WGM Martha Fierro (ECU) finished as top women players with the score of 9-3. WGM Rusa Goletiani and WFM Tatev Abrahamyan were right behind them with the score of 8.5-3.5. This year's US Open drew 458 players with 17 GMs. The top male and female qualifiers for the 2004 US Championship are GM Larry Christiansen (9-3) and WGM Rusa Goletiani (8.5-3.5).

Alex Barrasso (USA) won the 2003 US Open Blind Championship. Jessica Lauser finished 2nd and Jay Leventhal came in 3rd.

The 2003 US Open Blitz Championship gathered 84 participants with 6 GMs and many other strong IMs, FMs, Senior Masters and Masters. This is one of the strongest US Open Blitz in recent history. GM Susan Polgar (USA) won the event with the score of 11-1, followed by GM Aleks Wojtkiewicz with 10.5-1.5. GM Walter Browne, GM Sharadorj Dashzagug, IM Enrico Sevillano, IM Jayson Gonzales, NM Rico Salimbagat and Paul Iinuma tied for 3-8 with the score of 9-3. GM Pavel Blatny and GM Jaan Ehlvest were the other 2 GMs in the tournament.

William Aramil and Ryan Milisits tied for first at the 2003 Denker Tournament of Champions with the score of 5-1. Oleg Zaikov, Daniel Tapia and Daniel Fernandez tied for 3-5 with the score of 4.5-1.5. High School Champions from 38 states were represented in this prestigious event. Congratulations to everyone!

The United States Chess Federation, founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with more than 90,000 members. For more information, please see http://www.uschess.org.