FM Rui Yan Claims Clear Victory at the 2025 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational
A personal reflection of the 2025 SPFGI
Every event with GM Susan Polgar is special, but this year’s Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational (SPFGI) was truly unforgettable. I had the joy of watching a fantastic player, FM Ruiyang (Rui) Yan, take clear first place with poise, focus, and heart.
Rui holds a special place in my arbiter/organizer heart. I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow over the past 12 years—from a shy yet incredibly bright, funny, and enthusiastic child into a warm, witty, and determined young woman. A Bay Area native, Rui has played in countless events I’ve run, and seeing someone from your home community succeed at this level is something uniquely meaningful.
I’ve celebrated many of her milestones—from her WIM and FM titles to her impressive performance at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Championship. That same year, Rui shared the SPFGI co-champion title with IM Alice Lee. I was initially scheduled to be the Chief Arbiter for that event, but had to step back due to work commitments. Watching from afar, I was still proud. But this year? I was right there as she claimed the title outright. With calm determination and unwavering focus, she led the tournament from start to finish. When Round 6 concluded and we announced Rui as the 2025 SPFGI Champion, my San Francisco Bay Area heart was full.
A Community, Not Just a Competition
But SPFGI is more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of what happens when young women are uplifted and empowered through shared passion. Under the visionary leadership of GM Susan Polgar, the event is defined not just by competitive excellence but by camaraderie, confidence, and connection.
Rui has been part of a group of high-school girls who played the top boards round after round, and all the girls on the rest of the boards looked up to them, received encouragement from them, and were inspired by them. There was an unmistakable energy in the air—one of mutual support and joy. Girls from across the country and beyond came together, not as rivals, but as peers, teammates, and friends. Between rounds, the venue buzzed with laughter, spontaneous analysis sessions, and friendships in the making. The energy was unmistakable: mutual respect, shared joy, and collective celebration.
Susan Polgar’s Legacy of Leadership
At the center of it all was GM Susan Polgar, whom I’m honored to call both a friend and colleague. I’ve had the privilege of serving as Chief Arbiter and co-organizer of SPFGI since 2019, and every year, I’m reminded of the power of her leadership.
Susan doesn’t just host this event—she lives it. She’s fully present from beginning to end, personally invested in each player's journey. Her example teaches the girls what commitment, excellence, and resilience truly look like. In her talks, she shares wisdom with empathy and authenticity, always reminding the girls that their value extends far beyond rating points. She’s built a legacy that goes beyond trophies—she’s changing lives.
More Than Moves: Lifelong Bonds
What makes SPFGI truly magical isn’t just the chess—it’s the lifelong bonds forged in this unique environment. The cheers after tough rounds, the shared meal times, and side events and activities—these are the moments that last.
For players and staff alike, the event was a reunion of old friends and the start of new friendships. I was especially lucky to work once again with my wonderful friend Annastasia Wyzywany, whose top-tier organizational skills brought the entire event to life. I was joined by an old friend, the fantastic Deputy Chief Arbiter, Aiya Cancio, whose calm focus and positive spirit ensured everything ran smoothly. Last, but not least, it’s always a great honor to work with GM Liem Le, whose wisdom and thorough approach to everything, not just chess games, make the event more professional.
Thanks to this team, the four days felt more like a celebration than a job.
Until Next Year...
As we packed away the boards and clocks, what remains is the sense that we’ve all been part of something truly special. SPFGI 2025 wasn’t just a chess tournament. It was a place where girls grew not just as players, but as leaders, friends, and community builders. And thanks to Rui Yan—and every girl who brought their whole selves to the event—we go home inspired and eager for what next year will bring.
The 2025 SPFGI was held June 21-25 at Webster University. Full event rules and details, along with the side events, can be found here. The tournament crosstable can be found here. Top board games are available on the events page.
Please find one of Rui's games that she was kind enough to annotate for us.
Proud mom of three brilliant, funny, and hard-working daughters, and wife to the smartest person I know, who's doing incredible work at the University of the Pacific.
I began my professional life as a chemist, earning a PhD in theoretical mass spectrometry and spending over a decade in analytical and clinical chemistry research.
But life took an unexpected and wonderful turn when I entered the world of chess. What started as curiosity and volunteering quickly became a passion, leading me to tournament organizing and arbitration.
Today, I hold the titles of National Tournament Director (NTD) and International Arbiter – Category C (IA-C), and have had the privilege of organizing and directing hundreds of chess events across the US and beyond.
At Chess.com, I’m thrilled to support and collaborate with a wide range of communities—from over-the-board (OTB) clubs and titled players to coaches, bloggers, and casual enthusiasts. No matter your level or interest, I’m here to help you find your place in the chess world.
Feel free to reach out—email is the best way to connect: judit.sztaray@chess.com.