American International Master Alice Lee has secured her place in the 2026 Women’s Speed Chess Championship Final after producing a commanding performance against Greece’s Anastasia Avramidou in the semifinal. The 16-year-old sensation won the match 19.5–4.5, underlining her status as one of the brightest young talents in world chess.
Lee dominated every time control of the match. She raced to a 6–1 lead in the 5+1 segment before extending her advantage with an 8–2 score in the 3+1 games. Entering the bullet section with an overwhelming lead, she comfortably sealed the contest by winning the 1+1 segment 5.5–1.5, finishing with a remarkable 19.5 points to Avramidou’s 4.5.
The semifinal was expected to be closely contested, with both players arriving after stunning quarterfinal victories. Lee had eliminated reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun by 9.5–3.5, while Avramidou upset former Women’s Speed Chess Champion Kateryna Lagno. However, Lee’s relentless attacking play and consistency left little room for a comeback, as she won 11 of 12 games during the middle stages of the match.
With this victory, Alice Lee becomes the youngest-ever finalist in the history of the Women’s Speed Chess Championship. She now advances to the championship match, where she will face the winner of the other semifinal between Bibisara Assaubayeva and Hou Yifan.
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Lee’s dominant run has established her as one of the tournament favorites, and her composed performances against some of the strongest players in women’s chess suggest that the teenage star is ready to compete for her first Women’s Speed Chess Championship title.
