by Jennifer Shahade 

In Long Island, NY on March 16 at 3 AM, U.S. Women's Champion Anna Zatonskih gave birth to a healthy baby girl (8 pounds, 9 ounces), Sofia Daniella Fridman. Sofia's father and Anna's fiancee is Latvian-born GM Daniel Fridman. Daniel is now splitting his time between Long Island, NY, and Germany, where he is a citizen.

Daniel just had a great tournament in a rapid event in Spain , where he tied for first ahead of Anand, Polgar, Karpov, Ivanchuk etc. Here is his win against Alexander Grischuk:



"We both are on our maximum rating," says Anna, "I think it is because of Sofia...we have a joke that we should have a second child now, so Daniel can pass 2700 and I, 2500."

Because Sofia is so young, Anna is not going to play in the upcoming Frank Berry U.S. Championship. She does hope to defend her title in this year's U.S. Women's Championship, provided it is conveniently scheduled.

"Like every Mom, I am deprived of sleeping," says Anna. In addition to Daniel and Sofia, Anna is currently living in Long Island with her mother, who is visiting from Ukraine.