FM Alisa Melekhina

Bio: Alisa Melekhina started playing at age 5 and entered her first tournament at age 7. In less than three years, she was winning prestigious international tournaments. the 2012 U.S. Women's Championship marks her fourth time competing for this sought-after title.

Alisa has already earned an International Master norm, which she considers her top chess accomplishment so far, but her ultimate goal is to become a grandmaster.

Alisa learned chess from her father, who was her first coach and remains a strong influence today.

Outside of chess, she is a ballerina, having studied dance for 12 years. But Alisa knows where her priorities lie: squarely with chess. “I try to maintain a flexible schedule, but chess always takes precedence, though I will have to concentrate more on school now that I am in college,” she said.

Although she is just 20, Alisa has already begun law school at Penn Law, the University of Pennsylvania's prestigious law school. She will be a formidable opponent at this year's event.