The prize, co-sponsored by 9queens and goddesschess was judged by Women’s World Champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk. Kosteniuk, who updated results of the US Women's on her blog, said “Congratulations to all the winners! The tournament was excellent an lots of "fighting chess" throughout!” Kosteniuk singled out Tatev for her decisive results (she drew only one game in the event, to Anna Zatonskih), and her aggressive play. Kosteniuk’s favorite Abrahamyan game was her round three win against Alisa Melekhina.

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Tatev is no stranger to fighting chess. In 2008 Tatev also won the goddesschess award at the US Women's Championship, held that year in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2009, all of Tatev's games were decisive! For a survey of Tatev Abrahamyan's career since she moved to the Los Angeles area from her native Armenia, see the goddesschess blog. 

    

In Irina Krush’s winner’s speech, she singled out her nearest competitors Tatev and Anna for motivating her to play her best chess. Abrahamyan scored 7.5/9, a score that is usually enough for at least a tie for first in a 10-player round robin. In this amazing event, Tatev actually only tied for second with last year’s Champion and goddesschess prize winner, Anna Zatonskih.   Tatev had a 2621 USCF performance rating and raised her rating almost 60 points to 2430.

Although Tatev is more focused on earning IM and GM norms, it should also be noted that she picked up her final WGM norm. She also earned the 9queens scholarship prize (for a student under the age of 25) of $400 for a total bonus prize of $1400, which in combination with her 2nd-3rd place finish, gave her a takehome of $11,900.

9 Queens is a non-profit organization devoted to bringing chess to those most in need of its benefit, especially girls and at-risk youth. Goddesschess has been sponsoring Fighting Spirit Awards since 2007. See goddesschess.com for articles, links and much more with a special emphasis on the women of chess. 

9 Queens co-founder and executive director Jean Hoffman presented the award at the US Women's Championship closing ceremony and she said,"If we want to encourage more women and girls to play chess, we need more prizes like the Fighting Chess Award. Not only does the award bring well-deserved recognition to Tatev and other professional female chess players, it also sends the message  that competitive, confident and intelligent women should be celebrated."