Colville, Qiu Earn Gold, Norms at North American Junior Championship

Players from the USA delegation won gold medals in all three events of the North American Junior Chess Championship Under-20, held from Nov. 30 through Dec. 7 in Oaxtepec, Morelos, Mexico. Nine Americans made the trip, and 53 players total competed.

FM Julian Colville won the Under-20 Open with a blistering 8½/9 performance, earning a GM norm per the direct title regulations. Colville’s performance rating of 2629, including games against players from three federations, would have been good for a traditional GM norm, as well.

FM Donald Johnson tied for second, winning the silver medal on tiebreaks with a with 6½/9, earning a direct IM norm.

WFM Laurie Qiu won the gold medal in the Under-20 Girls with a 7/9 score, a half-point ahead of her nearest rival. The victory netted Qiu a WGM norm.

Colville added a second gold medal to his trophy case, winning the Blitz tournament with an 8/9 score, as well.