Chess and university: Finding the balanceAs the championship entered its decisive stage, the players also reflected on the different paths that had brought them to Almaty and on the challenge of combining competitive chess with university life. For WGM Thalia Cervantes Landeiro of Saint Louis University, chess is connected to almost every part of her daily life. She is completing her master’s program at Saint Louis University, plays professionally, and also works at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Quarterfinals decide the final fourSaint Louis University delivered the most dominant quarterfinal performance, defeating Harvard University 4-0 and 3.5-0.5 to comfortably secure its semifinal place. Ural State Mining University was equally convincing against Universidad de Chile, winning 4-0 and 3.5-0.5 to advance.