Paradigm Chess30 Queens championship 2023 kicked off with a bang! The 5 contestants, WIM Jesse February, WIM Khadidja Latreche, WCM Rebecca Selkirk, WIM elect Megan van Niekerk and WFM Lauren Willenberg did not hold back.

Rebecca made her debut on the Paradigm Chess30 scene and managed to claw her way through the Preliminaries. This 10min 10sec fiery arena proved too hot for Megan to withstand, as she was knocked out of the tournament by the end of her 4th game.

After a much needed breather, the Queens geared up for the 15min 10sec semi final battles. Khadidja showed her strength in a convincing 2-0 dragon defeat against Rebecca, while Lauren and Jesse saw their battle through to the bitter end. These two took their tied semi final match to the 3min 2sec tiebreak where yet again, they would not yield their swords. Finally, it was Jesse who came out victorious as Lauren's dragons fell to her sharp blade in the Golden Game.

This left Lauren and Rebecca playing their last match for 3rd and 4th positions. Rebecca showed great might and elegance in her dance with the former Paradigm Chess30 Queens Champion, but was not able to withstand the flames of experience. Lauren clinched that match, securing 3rd place in the tournament.

The two remaining Queens fought like giants. Both hit the ground hard during their drawn finals match, leaving all who were watching at the edge of their seats. After a well fought 3min 2 sec tiebreak match, it was Jesse that rose like a phoenix to take 1st place and be crowned Paradigm Chess30 Queens Champion 2023.

What an event! Well done to the players and thank you to ChessHeroes and their guests IM Watu Kobese, IM Henry Steel and Justin Lynch for the entertaining commentary. A huge word of gratitude goes to DDG Health and Beauty for sponsoring this event.

I can't wait for the rest of the world to feel the flames of the variant and see it spread like wild fire.