This article will discuss the hottest female chess players in the world and their history. Many great female chess players can beat any male player, and each one is unique in its particular way. You will learn about how they got started playing, how they started playing professionally, and what tournaments they are currently playing in. Some of these players have even won championships which is a massive accomplishment.
Chess is a game that has been around for thousands of years, and it has evolved into what we see today. This game is played worldwide and is a favorite pastime for many adults. This game can be played for hours without significant injuries to other players. It makes chess one of the most popular games. Not only do you have to think before you act, but you also have to pay close attention to your opponent’s every move so when you are at a checkmate, you will know what moves your opponent will make before they make a move. This requires a lot of thinking and concentration.
Today, women’s chess players challenge the male chess players and win against them in most of their games. This is a great accomplishment for the female sports community and is helping to improve the way women are viewed in society. They have done a great job changing the world’s view on women being inferior to men and have put in their best efforts over time to show people that they can do anything that men can do.
1. Dorsa Derakhshani
Dorsa Derakhshani, an Iranian monarch who has been representing the United States since September 2017, was born in 1998. In 2016, she received the titles of Female Grandmaster and International Grandmaster.
Dorsa Derakhshani | Information |
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Full Name | Dorsa Derakhshani |
Birthdate | 1998 |
Nationality | Iranian-American |
Titles | Woman Grandmaster, International Master |
Asian Youth Chess Medals | Three gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championships |
Iranian National Team | Played for the Iranian National team in the women’s division of the Asian Nations Cup |
FIDE Trainer Qualification | Qualified for the title of FIDE Trainer |
TEDxTalk | Speaker at TEDxTalk in Munich, Germany, July 2019 |
Ban and Controversy | Banned from playing for Iran national team and tournaments in Iran due to not wearing a hijab |
Education and Achievements | Magna cum laude graduate from St. Louis University |
Chess Achievements | Silver medal in 2017 Pan American intercollegiate chess championship |
Peak Rating | 2405 (July 2016) |
Medical Studies | Admitted medical student at University of Missouri School of Medicine |
2. Anna Muzychuk
Anna Olehivna Muzychuk is a Grandmaster chess player from Ukraine. She was born on February 28, 1990. (GM). She is only the fourth woman in chess history to reach the FIDE rating of 2600. She’s been ranked as high as 197th globally and second among women. Muzychuk is a three-time world champion in fast chess and a one-time and two-time women’s world blitz champion. She was the runner-up in the 2017 Women’s World Championship in classical chess.
Anna Muzychuk | Information |
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Full Name | Anna Olehivna Muzychuk |
Country | Ukraine (until 2004; since 2014) Slovenia (2004–2014) |
Born | 28 February 1990 (age 33) Lviv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
Title | Grandmaster (2012) |
FIDE Rating | 2504 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2606 (July 2012) |
Peak Ranking | No. 197 (August 2012) Women’s No. 2 (August 2012) |
World Championships | Three-time World Champion in Fast Chess (2014, 2014, 2016) |
Notable Achievements | Fourth woman in chess history to reach a FIDE rating of 2600 |
Chess Family | Younger sister Mariya Muzychuk also a Grandmaster |
If you’re interested in knowing more about Ukrainian women, check out this list of the Top 50 Most Beautiful Ukrainian Women in 2022. One of the talented and beautiful women featured on this list is Anna Muzychuk, the Ukrainian chess grandmaster who gained fame in the chess community for boycotting her country’s decision to host the World Championship in Saudi Arabia where she would need to wear a hijab.
3. Tatiana Kosintseva
Tatiana Anatolyevna Kosintseva (born April 11, 1986) is a Russian chess player.FIDE bestowed the title of Grandmaster on her in 2007. Kosintseva has won the European Women’s Championship twice and the Russian Women’s Championship three times. In addition, she competed for the Russian team that won the 2010 and 2012 Women’s Chess Olympics gold medal and the 2007 and 2011 European Women’s Team Chess Championship gold medal.
Tatiana Kosintseva | Information |
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Full Name | Tatiana Anatolyevna Kosintseva |
Country | Russia |
Born | April 11, 1986 |
Title | Grandmaster |
FIDE Rating | 2475 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2581 (November 2010) |
Achievements | Two-time European Women’s Champion |
Notable Wins | FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Nalchik (2010) |
Education | Graduated from Pomor University |
4. Elisabeth Paehtz
Since her youth, Elisabeth Pähtz, occasionally written Elisabeth Paehtz, has been the most potent female German chess player. Pähtz won the World Youth Championship for under-18 girls in 2002 and the World Junior Championship in 2005. In rapid chess, she won the 2018 European Women’s Championship. She reaches her third grandmaster aim in 2021, and if verified, she will be the first German woman to achieve the FIDE title of Grandmaster (GM).
Elisabeth Paehtz | Information |
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Full Name | Elisabeth Paehtz |
Country | Germany |
Born | January 8, 1985 in Erfurt, Germany |
Title | Grandmaster |
FIDE Rating | 2471 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2513 (September 2018) |
5. Antoaneta Stefanova
Antoaneta Stefanova, a Bulgarian chess grandmaster and global women’s chess champion from 2004 to 2006, was born on April 19, 1979. She has been a Bulgarian chess player since 1992, competing in the 2000 Chess Olympics and the World Women’s Chess Olympics.
Antoaneta Stefanova | Information |
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Full Name | Antoaneta Stefanova |
Country | Bulgaria |
Birthdate | April 19, 1979 |
Birthplace | Sofia, Bulgaria |
Title | Grandmaster (2002) |
Women’s World Champion | 2004-2006 |
FIDE Rating | 2405 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2560 (January 2003) |
Notable Achievements | – Winner of Women’s World Chess Championship 2004-2006 |
Notable Tournaments | – Chess Olympiad participant in 2000 and Women’s Chess Olympiad |
Current Status | Active chess player and Member of Parliament for There Is Such A |
6. Anna Ushenina
Anna Ushenina, a Ukrainian chess grandmaster, was born in Kharkiv on August 30, 1985. She is the 14th world champion, having won the 2012 final against Antoaneta Stefanova. Ushenina earned the rank of grandmaster after winning the world championship. However, Ushenina failed to defend her world title after losing 1.5-5.5 against Hou Yifan in 2013.
Anna Ushenina | Information |
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Full Name | Anna Yuriyivna Ushenina |
Country | Ukraine |
Born | August 30, 1985 (age 37) |
Birthplace | Kharkiv, Ukrainian SSR, USSR |
Title | Grandmaster |
Women’s World Champion | 2012–2013 |
FIDE Rating | 2434 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2502 (July 2007) |
Ethnicity | Jewish |
Notable Accomplishments | – Women’s World Chess Champion (2012–2013) |
League Chess | Regularly plays in national leagues of France, Russia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Slovenia |
7. Anna Rudolf
Anna Rudolf, a Hungarian chess player, chess commentator, Twitch broadcaster, and Youtuber, was born on November 12, 1987. She has the titles of International (IM) and Female Grandmaster (WGM). She is a three-time Hungarian women’s national champion and has competed in the Chess Olympics and the European Team Chess Championship for Hungary. She holds the most excellent FIDE rating of 2393 and the world’s best women’s career rating of 71.
Anna Rudolf | Information |
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Full Name | Anna Rudolf |
Born | November 12, 1987 (age 35) |
Birthplace | Miskolc, Hungary |
Nationality | Hungarian |
Titles | International Master (IM) Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Achievements | Three-time Hungarian women’s national chess champion Represented Hungary at prestigious chess events |
Peak FIDE Rating | 2393 |
Career Best Ranking | No. 71 among women in the world |
Notable Victories | Defeated Grandmasters Yaroslav Zherebukh and Christian Bauer |
Commentating Career | Regular commentator at high-profile chess tournaments for Chess.com and chess24 |
Broadcasting Career | Runs own Twitch channel and YouTube channel |
8. Alexandra Botez
Alexandra Valeria Botez, an American-Canadian chess player and commentator, Twitch broadcaster, and YouTuber, was born on September 24, 1995. At 15, she was a five-time Canadian National Women’s Champion and a five-time USA Women’s National Champion in chess. In March 2016, she received her highest FIDE Elo rating of 2092, and she is presently the FIDE Female Master of the International Chess Federation.
Alexandra Botez | Information |
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Full Name | Alexandra Valeria Botez |
Nationality | American-Canadian |
Chess Titles | Woman FIDE Master (2013) |
Highest FIDE Elo Rating | 2092 (March 2016) |
Twitch Streamer | BotezLive (1.2 million followers) |
YouTube Channel | BotezLive (1.29 million subscribers, 411 million views) |
Advocate for Gender Diversity | Promotes gender diversity in chess |
Early Chess Achievements | Five-time Canadian National Girls Champion, U.S. Girls Nationals winner at age 15 |
Education | Studied International Relations at Stanford University |
Streaming Collaboration | Collaborates with popular chess streamers |
Media Recognition | Notable presence on Chess.com, compared to “Beth Harmon” from The Queen’s Gambit |
Ambassador for Envy Gaming | Partnered with Envy Gaming to expand diversity in gaming content creators |
Poker Success | Earned significant amount on a poker live stream |
Playing Style | Known for aggressive and adaptive playstyle |
King’s Indian Defense | Most-played opening in her repertoire |
“Botez Gambit” | Popularized term for accidentally losing the queen in chess |
Advocate Against Sexism | Publicly addresses and challenges sexism in chess |
Critique of The Queen’s Gambit | Highlights the show’s understatement of misogyny in the era, but appreciates the inspiration it provides |
9. Anna Zatonskih
Anna Zatonskih, a Ukrainian and American chess player, was born on July 17, 1978, and has held the titles of International Grandmaster (IM) and Female Grandmaster (WGM). She is a former Ukrainian women’s champion and a four-time US women’s champion.
Anna Zatonskih | Information |
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Full Name | Anna Zatonskih |
Country | United States (after 2004) Ukraine (1991–2004) Soviet Union (until 1991) |
Born | July 17, 1978 |
Birthplace | Mariupol, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
Titles | International Master (IM) Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Notable Achievements | – Four-time U.S. Women’s Chess Champion |
Chess Background | Learned chess at age five from parents who are both strong players |
Notable Events | – Represented Ukraine in Women’s Chess Olympiads and European Team Championships |
Additional Information | Married to chess player Daniel Fridman |
10. Stavroula Tsolakidou
Stavroula Tsolakidou is a Greek chess player who has the titles of International and Female Grandmaster. She was born on March 24, 2000. Solakidou was born on March 24, 2000, in Kavala, Greece. In 2013, she won the U14 Women’s World Chess Championship and the FIDE Female Master title. The title was bestowed to her. In 2014, she won the Women’s International Championship, and in 2015, she took home the Women’s World U16 Championship. She won the Women’s Grandmaster title and the U18 Women’s World Championship in 2016. In April 2018, she received the title of International Master.
Stavroula Tsolakidou | Information |
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Full Name | Stavroula Tsolakidou |
Country | Greece |
Born | 24 March 2000 |
Titles | International Master |
Notable Achievements | Winner of the World U14 Girls’ Chess Championship (2013) |
FIDE Titles | Woman FIDE Master (2013) |
Highest FIDE Rating | 2438 (May 2019) |
Ranking | No. 1 Ranked Greek Female Player (May 2018) |
11. Lanita Stetsko
Lanita Stetsko is a female Grandmaster in the Belarusian chess tournament. She was born on August 14, 1993. (WGM, 2015). She is the Women’s Chess Champion of Belarus (2015).
Lanita Stetsko | Information |
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Full Name | Lanita Igorevna Stetsko |
Country | Belarus |
Born | August 14, 1993 (age 29) |
Title | Woman Grandmaster |
Belarusian Champion | Winner of the Belarusian Women’s Chess Championship (2015) |
Age Group Championships | Winner of multiple Belarusian girl’s chess championships |
International Tournament | Winner of the International Women Chess Tournament (2016) |
Chess Olympiads | Represented Belarus in Women’s Chess Olympiads |
European Championships | Represented Belarus in European Team Chess Championships |
FIDE Titles | Woman International Master (WIM), Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Education | Graduated from Belarusian State University (2015) |
12. Tania Sachdev
Tania Sachdev, an Indian chess player, was born on August 20, 1986, and has held the FIDE titles of International Grandmaster (IM) and Female Grandmaster (FGM) (WGM). She has won two Indian women’s chess titles in 2006 and 2007, one Asian women’s chess title in 2007, and three Commonwealth women’s chess titles in 2016, 2018, and 2019. She is also a chess commentator and host.
Tania Sachdev | Information |
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Full Name | Tania Sachdev |
Birthdate | August 20, 1986 |
Birthplace | Delhi, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Title | International Master (IM) Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Peak Rating | 2443 (September 2013) |
13. Ayelén Martinez
Ayelén Martnez is an Argentine chess player who was born in 1993. She competed in the 2017 Women’s World Chess Championship, where Zhao Xue defeated her.
Ayel n Martinez | Information |
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Full Name | Ayelén Martinez |
Country | Argentina |
Title | Woman International Master |
Peak Rating | 2279 |
Notable Event | 2018 Andorra Open |
Participation | Women’s World Chess Championship 2017 |
14. Triin Narva
Train Narva is an Estonian female chess master born on November 12, 1994. (2016). Train Narva was born into a chess-playing household. She is the granddaughter of Boris Rautov, the Estonian chess champion, and Merike Rautova, the Woman International Chess Master Correspondence Chess. Her father, Jaan Narva, is a FIDE Master, and her mother, Regina Narva, and sister, Mai Narva, were both champions of the Estonian Women’s Chess Championship.
Triin Narva | Information |
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Full Name | Triin Narva |
Country | Estonia |
Born | November 12, 1994 (age 28) |
Title | Woman FIDE Master (2016) |
Chess Family Heritage | Granddaughter of Estonian chess champion Boris Rõtov and Woman International Correspondence Chess GM Merike Rõtova |
Notable Achievements | – Winner of twelve Estonian Junior Chess Championships in different age groups |
Represented Estonia | Played for Estonia in four Chess Olympiads |
Education | Graduated from Gustav Adolf Grammar School (2013) |
15. Natalia Zhukova
Natalia Oleksandrivna Zhukova, a Ukrainian chess grandmaster and two-time European women’s champion were born on June 5, 1979. As a youngster, she won multiple age-group titles at both the European and international levels. She’s also a multiple-time winner of international women’s events. Zhukova has been a member of the Ukrainian women’s national team since she was 17 years old when she won the Ukrainian women’s championship for the first time. In addition, she was a member of Ukraine’s winning team at the 2006 Women’s Chess Olympiad.
Natalia Zhukova | Information |
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Full Name | Natalia Oleksandrivna Zhukova |
Nationality | Ukrainian |
Date of Birth | June 5, 1979 |
Age | 44 |
Place of Birth | Dresden, East Germany |
Residence | Odesa, Ukraine |
Title | Grandmaster |
European Women’s Champion | 2000, 2015 |
Ukrainian Women’s Championship | 1996, 2019 |
World Youth Championship Debut | Mamaia 1991, Girls’ U12 (3rd-4th place) |
European Youth Championship Wins | U14 (1993), U16 (1994) |
World Championship Win | Girls U16 (1994) |
Interzonal Debut | Kishinev 1995 |
Olympiad Appearances | 6 (1998-present) |
Olympiad Performance | Score: +20−13=32, 55.4% |
Notable Tournament Wins | Groningen Women’s Festival (1998), EU Cup for Women (1999), Alushta Women’s Zonal (1999) |
Political Involvement | Movement of New Forces party list (2019), Servant of the People party Odesa City Council election list (2020) |
16. Nazi Paikidze
Nazi Paikidze, sometimes known as Naz Paikidze-Barnes, is a Georgian-American chess player of Russian heritage who was born on October 27, 1993. FIDE bestowed upon her the International Grandmaster (IM) and Female Grandmaster (WGM) titles in 2012 and 2010, respectively. Paikidze is a two-time Women’s World Champion, four-time European Women’s Champion, and two-time US Women’s Champion in her age group.
Nazi Paikidze | Information |
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Full Name | Nazi Paikidze-Barnes |
Country | United States (after 2013) Georgia (before 2013) |
Born | 27 October 1993 (age 29) Irkutsk, Russia |
Titles | International Master (IM) Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Notable Achievements | Twice World Girls’ Champion Four-time European Girls’ Champion Twice U.S. Women’s Champion |
Notable Coach | Vladimir Belov and others |
Notable Medals | European Youth Chess Championship: 4 gold medals World Youth Chess Championship: 2 gold medals World Junior Chess Championship: 2 bronze medals |
Peak Rating | 2455 (2009) |
U.S. Women’s Championship | Winner in 2016 and 2018 |
Stand Against Dress Code | Boycotted the Women’s World Chess Championship 2017 due to hijab dress code |
Current Profession | Full-time chess professional |
Education | University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) |
Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
Spouse | Greg Barnes |
17. Alexandra Kosteniuk
Alexandra Konstantinovna Kosteniuk, a Russian chess grandmaster and World Women’s Chess Champion from 2008 to 2010, was born on April 23, 1984. She was the European Women’s Chess Champion in 2004 and the home champion. Two-time Russian women’s chess champion (2005 and 2016). Kosteniuk represented Russia in the Women’s Chess Olympics in 2010, 2012, 2014, the Women’s World Team Chess Championship in 2017, and the European Women’s Team Chess Championship in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2017.
Alexandra Kosteniuk | Information |
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Full Name | Alexandra Konstantinovna Kosteniuk |
Country | Russia (before 2022), FIDE (2022–2023), Switzerland (since 2023) |
Born | April 23, 1984 (age 39) |
Birthplace | Perm, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
Title | Grandmaster (2004) |
Women’s World Champion | 2008–2010 |
Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion | 2021 |
FIDE Rating | 2532 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2561 (January 2018) |
Chess Education | Graduated from the Russian State Academy of Physical Education as a certified professional chess trainer |
Notable Achievements | – European Women’s Champion (2004) |
Chess Career | Alexandra Kosteniuk began playing chess at the age of five and achieved remarkable success at a young age. She won multiple titles at the European Youth Championships and World Youth Chess Championships. In 2001, she reached the final of the World Women’s Chess Championship. Her breakthrough came in 2004 when she became the European Women’s Champion and was awarded the grandmaster title. She went on to win the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2008 and the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in 2021. Kosteniuk has represented Russia and Switzerland in international competitions and is known for her aggressive and dynamic playing style. |
Personal Life | Alexandra Kosteniuk is a member of the “Champions for Peace” club, dedicated to promoting peace through sport. She has been outspoken in her support for peace and has signed an open letter protesting against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kosteniuk is married to Russian Grandmaster Pavel Tregubov, and they have a daughter named Francesca Maria. She holds dual Swiss-Russian citizenship. |
18. Sophie Milliet
Sophie Milliet, a French chess player and six-time women’s national champion, was born in Marseille on November 2, 1983 (2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2016, and 2017). After satisfying the standards at the French Club Championship (2005), the Swiss Championship at Lenzerheide (2006), and the Béthune Open width (2006), she was awarded the title of International Master in March 2009.
She was born and reared in Castelnau-le-Lez, France, where she started playing chess at the age of four. Her grassroots efforts resulted in numerous appointments and raised her Elo score above the 2100 mark, which was seven years old at the time. As a result, she was the best player in her group for the French women’s team at the Faber Cup in Dublin in 2000, contributing to the team’s victory.
Sophie Milliet | Information |
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Full Name | Sophie Milliet |
Country | France |
Born | November 2, 1983 (age 39), Marseille, France |
National Women’s Titles | Six-time French Women’s Champion |
International Title | International Master |
Women Grandmaster Title | Awarded in 2003 |
Junior Achievements | Contributed to winning the Faber Cup in 2000 |
Notable Championship | Three-time French Women’s Championship winner (2003, 2007, 2008) |
Other Championships | Mediterranean Women’s Champion (Beirut, 2015) |
Chess Olympiads | Represented France in 2004 and 2006 |
League Chess Activity | Active participant in French Nationale and German Women’s Bundesliga |
4NCL Participation | Represented Pride and Prejudice team in the UK’s 4NCL (2007/08) |
19. Cécile Haussernot
Cécile Haussernot is a French chess player who has the title of Female International Grandmaster. She was born on October 22, 1998. (WIM). She has won two European titles in the schoolgirl division for her age group. Haussernot began moving pieces at the age of five and was invited to join her club’s team at six, where she learned the fundamentals. She is a six-time French junior champion, having won the U-8 Girls in 2006, the U-10 Girls in 2007, the U-14 Girls in 2008, the U-14 Girls in 2011, the U-16 Girls in 2013, and the U-20 Girls in 2018. She was also a champion. In 2009, she was the vice-captain of France and finished third in the Men’s Under-12 category in the French Youth Championship.
C cile Haussernot | Information |
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Full Name | Cécile Haussernot |
Birthdate | October 22, 1998 (age 24) |
Country | France |
Title | Woman International Master (WIM) |
Notable Achievements | European Champion (twice) in her age girls category |
Additional Information | Learned chess at the age of five |
20. Alisa Melekhina
Alisa Melekhina, a highly skilled dancer and alumnus of the University of Law School, was born on June 26, 1991. She is a highly trained ballerina and one of the top female chess players in the United States. Take a look at Pennsylvania. Melekhina is a regular competitor in the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship and has competed for the U.S. in many World Junior and Junior Chess Championships. She has placed in the top ten. At the 2014 U.S. Women’s Championship, she was ranked No. She received her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in May 2014, at the age of 22.
Alisa Melekhina | Information |
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Full Name | Alisa Melekhina |
Birthdate | June 26, 1991 (age 32) |
Country | United States |
Birthplace | Simferopol, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
Title | FIDE Master (2011) |
FIDE Rating | 2194 (February 2020) |
Peak Rating | 2304 (March 2011) |
21. Natalia Pogonina
Natalia Andreevna Pogonina is a female FIDE Grandmaster and a chess player from Russia. She was born on March 9, 1985. (WGM). In 2015, she finished second in the Women’s World Chess Championship. She is a two-time Russian women’s champion (in 2012 and 2018). Pogonina was a part of the Russian women’s chess team that won gold in the 2012 and 2014 Olympics and the 2011 European Women’s Team Chess Championship.
Natalia Pogonina | Information |
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Full Name | Natalia Andreevna Pogonina (Ната́лья Андре́евна Пого́нина) |
Country | Russia |
Born | March 9, 1985 (age 38) |
Title | Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
FIDE Rating | 2432 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2508 (July 2014) |
Notable Achievements | Runner-up of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2015 |
Notable Contributions | Columnist at Chess.com and chess blogs at Sports.ru and RedHotPawn.com |
Early Successes | Won the Russian under-14 girls championship in 1998 |
Other Accomplishments | Author of the upcoming book “Chess Kama Sutra” (with Peter Zhdanov) |
Family | Married to IT-specialist Peter Zhdanov; has a son named Nikolai |
22. Regina Pokorna
Natalia Andreevna Pogonina is a female FIDE Grandmaster and a chess player from Russia. She was born on March 9, 1985. (WGM). In 2015, she finished second in the Women’s World Chess Championship. She is a two-time Russian women’s champion (in 2012 and 2018). Pogonina was a part of the Russian women’s chess team that won gold in the 2012 and 2014 Olympics and the 2011 European Women’s Team Chess Championship.
Regina Pokorna | Information |
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Full Name | Regina Theissl Pokorná |
Nationality | Slovak-Austrian |
Title | Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Trainer | Grandmaster Ján Plachetka |
European Girls Under 10 Championship | 1992 |
Slovak Girls Under 18 Championship | 1996, 1997, 1999 |
European Junior Girls’ Chess Championship | 1999 |
FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup Participant | 2000 |
Represented Slovakia in Women’s Chess Olympiads | 1998-2012 |
Best Result at the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin | 8th place on Board 3 (scored 7/10) |
Represented Slovakia in Championships | 1997-2001 |
Team Gold Medal in Batumi | 1999 |
Individual Bronze Medal in Batumi | 1999 |
Mediterranean Flowers Tournaments (Rijeka) | 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009 |
EWS Cup in Jakarta | 2007 |
Mediterranean Golden Island Tournament (Vrbnik) | 2008 |
Slovak Women’s Chess Championship | 2009 |
Austrian Women’s Chess Championship | 2019 |
23. Jennifer Shahade
Jennifer Shahade was born in December 1980 and is an American chess player, poker player, pundit, and writer. She has won two US women’s championships and is a FIDE Female Grandmaster. Shahade is the co-author of Marcel Duchamp: The Art of Chess and the author of Chess Bitch and Play Like a Girl. She is the Director of the Women’s Program at US Chess, a PokerStars MindSports Ambassador, and became a member of the World Chess Hall of Fame’s board of directors in Saint Louis.
Jennifer Shahade | Information |
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Full Name | Jennifer Shahade |
Born | December 31, 1980 (age 42) |
Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
Title | Woman Grandmaster |
FIDE Rating | 2322 (January 2006) |
Peak Rating | 2366 (April 2003) |
Occupation | Chess player, poker player, commentator, and writer |
Notable Achievements | Two-time United States Women’s Champion, Women’s World Chess Champion (2008) |
Education | Degree in Comparative Literature from New York University |
Books | “Chess Bitch: Women in the Ultimate Intellectual Sport” |
Writing | Contributions to LA Times, The New York Times, Chess Life, New In Chess, Games Magazine |
Poker Career | MindSports Ambassador for PokerStars |
Podcasts | Host of “the GRID” poker podcast |
Personal Life | Married to Daniel Meirom |
Sexual Assault Allegations | Accused GM Alejandro Ramírez of sexual assault and is involved in ongoing investigations |
24. Anna Sharevich
Anna Sharevich, a Belarusian and American chess player, was born on December 18, 1985, and holds the title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM). In 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2011, she won the Women’s Belarusian Chess Championship. In 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012, in the Women’s Chess Olympiads, and Sharevich represented Belarus. She moved national federations from Belarus to the United States in 2014. She was a part of the 2014 United States Chess League champions, the Saint Louis Arch Bishops.
Anna Sharevich | Information |
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Full Name | Anna Sharevich |
Birthdate | December 18, 1985 |
Nationality | Belarusian-American |
Title | Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Notable Achievements | Women’s Belarusian Chess Championships (2002, 2005, 2007, 2011) |
National Federation | Belarus (before 2014), United States (since 2014) |
Team Affiliation | Saint Louis Arch Bishops (2014 US Chess League champions) |
FIDE Rating | 2276 (October 2017) |
Peak Rating | 2378 (May 2011) |
25. Eva Repkova
Eva Repková is a Slovak chess player who holds the FIDE titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster. She was born in Stará ubová on January 16, 1975. (WGM). In 1991, she was Czechoslovak Women’s Champion, and in 2003, 2010, and 2013, she was Slovak Women’s Champion.
Eva Repkova | Information |
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Full Name | Eva Repkova |
Birthdate | January 16, 1975 (age 48) |
Birthplace | Stará Ľubovňa, Czechoslovakia |
Country | Czechoslovakia (until 1992) Slovakia (1992–97, since 2001) Lebanon (1997–2001) |
Title | International Master (2007) Woman Grandmaster (1995) |
Peak Rating | 2447 (September 2010) |
Notable Event | Eva Repková playing in the Summer chess tournament in Aarhus, Denmark 2009 |
Slovak Women’s Championships | 2003, 2010, 2013 |
World Girl’s Under-14 Chess Championship | Silver Medal – Timișoara 1988 |
World Girl’s Under-18 Chess Championships | Silver Medals – Guarapuava 1991, Bratislava 1993 |
World Girl’s Under-20 Chess Championship | Runner-up (Second place) – Halle 1995 |
Chess Olympiads | Represented Czechoslovakia in 1992 (30th Chess Olympiad) Represented Slovakia in eight Chess Olympiads between 1994 and 2016 |
European Women’s Team Chess Championship | Individual silver medal – León 2001 |
Arab Women’s Chess Championship | Winner – Agadir 1998, Beirut 2000 |
Asian Women’s Chess Championship | Runner-up (Second place) – Tehran 1997, Genting Highlands 1998 |
Other Titles | Mediterranean Flower tournament winner – Rijeka 2003, 2013 Mediterranean Golden Island (Women) winner – Punat 2003, Malinska 2005 Summer-A IM winner – Aarhus 2009 |
Mitropa Cup | Represented Slovakia in the open chess Mitropa Cup in 2005, 2006 (team bronze – Steinbrunn 2005) Represented Slovakia in the women’s chess Mitropa Cup in 2013 (individual and team gold medals – Meissen 2013) |
Family | Married Lebanese IM Fadi Eid (1997-2001) Son Christopher Repka – Slovak Junior Chess Champion Previously married FIDE Master Eric Peterson (divorced in 2013) |
Languages | Fluent in Slovak, English, Russian, and German |
26. Petra Papp
Petra Papp is a female Grandmaster in the game of chess from Hungary. She was born on August 22, 1993. (WGM, 2012). Papp won the Under 16 category of the Hungarian Youth Chess Championship in 2009. In addition, she has competed in the European Youth Chess Championship and the World Youth Chess Championship. In the 2011 European Under-18 Women’s Team Chess Championship in Iași, she earned an individual gold medal and a team silver medal.
Petra Papp | Information |
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Full Name | Petra Papp |
Nationality | Hungarian |
Date of Birth | August 22, 1993 |
FIDE Title | Woman Grandmaster (WGM, 2012) |
Hungarian Championships | Gold medal in 2012 |
Youth Championships | Winner of Hungarian Youth Chess Championship (Under 16) in 2009 |
European Girls’ U18 | Individual gold medal in Iași (2011) |
Women’s Chess Olympiads | Represented Hungary |
European Team Chess | Represented Hungary |
Titles | Awarded FIDE Woman International Master (WIM) title in 2010 |
27. Anastasiya Karlovich
Anastasiya Karlovich, a Ukrainian chess player, and journalist were born on May 29, 1982. FIDE bestowed the titles of International Woman and Female Grandmaster on her in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Karlovich, born in Dnipropetrovsk, began playing chess at the age of eight. She was a semi-finalist in the 1998 Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Men’s Chess Championship and the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Women’s Chess Championship. She eventually relocated to Kharkiv, where she worked as a chess journalist before becoming a chess journalist in 2007. Articles have appeared in the Ladya newspaper, New magazine in Chess and Schach 64, the ChessBase website, and other publications. In 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016, Karlovich served as FIDE’s press secretary at the World Chess Championships.
Anastasiya Karlovich | Information |
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Full Name | Anastasiya Karlovich |
Country | Ukraine |
Born | 29 May 1982 (age 41) |
Birthplace | Dnipropetrovsk, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
Title | Woman Grandmaster (2003) |
FIDE Rating | 2204 |
Peak Rating | 2313 (October 2001) |
FIDE Titles | Woman International Master (2000) |
Achievements | Gold Medal – European Girls’ Under-18 Team Chess Championship (2000) |
Notable Roles | Press Secretary of FIDE at the World Chess Championship (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016) |
Journalism Career | Chess journalist for various publications |
28. Hou Yifan
Hou Yifan is a Chinese chess player born on February 27, 1994, in Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu. Hou is the world’s 13th female champion. She is the youngest female player in world chess history to obtain this title and the youngest female chess player to qualify for Grandmaster.
Hou Yifan | Information |
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Full Name | Hou Yifan |
Birthdate | February 27, 1994 |
Birthplace | Xinghua, China |
Education | Peking University (BA) |
Country | China |
Title | Grandmaster |
Women’s World Champion | 2010–2012, 2013–2015, 2016–2017 |
FIDE rating | 2628 (July 2023) |
Peak rating | 2686 (March 2015) |
Peak ranking | No. 55 (May 2015) |
Asian Games | 2010 Guangzhou, Women’s Individual |
Chinese name | 侯逸凡 |
Standard Mandarin | Hóu Yìfán |
Wade–Giles | Hou I-Fan |
Yue: Cantonese | Haùh jaht fàahn |
Jyutping | Hau4 jat6 faan4 |
Southern Min | Hâu E̍k-hōan |
Hokkien POJ | Hâu E̍k-hōan |
Chess Prodigy | Youngest female grandmaster, Women’s World Chess Champion at a young age |
Top-Ranked Female Player | Second highest rated female player of all time |
Career Achievements | Winner of 2010 Women’s World Championship, Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion |
Teaching and Professorship | Professor at Shenzhen University, Youngest ever professor at Shenzhen University at age 26 |
Chess Journey | Started playing chess at a young age, Joined National Chess Center academy at age ten |
Life Outside Chess | Balancing education and extracurricular activities, Treats chess as a hobby |
29. Susan Polgar
Susan Polgar (born April 19, 1969, Polgár Zsuzsanna, sometimes known as Zsuzsa Polgár) is a Hungarian and American chess player. From 1996 through 1999, Polgár was the World Women’s Chess Champion. At 15, Polgar became the world’s top-ranked female tennis player in the FIDE rankings in July 1984. She received the title of Grandmaster from FIDE in 1991 and is the third woman to receive this title. In addition, she won twelve medals at the Women’s Chess Olympics (5 gold, four silver, and three bronze).
Susan Polgar | Information |
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Full Name | Susan Polgar |
Birthdate | April 19, 1969 |
Birthplace | Budapest, Hungary |
Nationality | Hungarian-American |
Title | Grandmaster |
Women’s World Champion | 1996–1999 |
FIDE Rating | 2577 (July 2023) [inactive] |
Peak Rating | 2577 (January 2005) |
Accomplishments | – Top-ranked female chess player in the world at age 15 |
Residence | Suburban St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
30. Sofia Polgar
Sofia Polgar, an internationally recognized Hungarian and Israeli chess player, teacher, and artist, was born on November 2, 1974. She was a chess prodigy in the past. She is the middle sister of Grandmasters Susan and Judit Polgár and holds the FIDE titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She is a resident of Israel. In the 1988 Chess Olympics, she and a team won gold. In the 1990 Chess Olympics, she earned a gold medal with her team and a gold medal by herself. In the 1994 Chess Olympics, she and her team earned a gold medal, and she also won two gold medals individually. In addition, she was a chess instructor and an artist.
Sofia Polgar | Information |
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Full Name | Sofia Polgar |
Country | Hungary, Israel |
Date of Birth | November 2, 1974 |
Titles | International Master (IM), Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Family Background | Middle sister of Grandmasters Susan and Judit Polgar |
Chess Olympiads | Represented Hungary, won two team gold medals, one team silver, three individual golds, and one individual bronze |
Notable Achievements | World under-14 girls champion, “Sack of Rome” tournament victory, strong performance rating of 2879 |
World Junior Chess Championship 1994 | Finished second |
Ranking | Formerly ranked as the sixth-strongest female player in the world |
Personal Life | Married Israeli Grandmaster Yona Kosashvili, two children |
Residence | Settled near Tel Aviv, Israel |
31. Judit Polgar
Judit Polgár, a chess grandmaster from Hungary, was born on July 23, 1976. She is recognized as history’s most powerful lady. Polgar became the youngest player to achieve the grandmaster title in 1991, at the age of 15 and four months, breaking the previous record set by former world champion Bobby Fischer. At 12, she is the youngest pro to have made the FIDE Top 100, ranking 55th on the January 1989 list.
She was the experiment’s only female participant. He competed in a global championship event in 2005. With a career-high of 2735 – 8th place in the world in 2005, she was the first and only woman to achieve 2700 on the ELO system. She was the world’s top ELO woman from January 1989 until March 2015, when Chinese player Hou Yifan surpassed her; she returned to the top female rankings in August 2015. This is her last appearance in the FIDE world rankings.
Judit Polgar | Information |
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Full Name | Judit Polgar |
Birthdate | July 23, 1976 |
Birthplace | Budapest, Hungary |
Country | Hungary |
Title | Grandmaster (1991) |
FIDE rating | 2675 (July 2023) [inactive since September 2015] |
Peak rating | 2735 (July 2005) |
Peak ranking | No. 8 (July 2004), No. 1 woman (January 1989) |
Achievements | – Youngest Grandmaster at age 15 years and 4 months |
Tournament Victories | – Hastings 1993 |
Notable Wins | – Defeated eleven current or former world champions in either rapid or classical chess, including Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, and Viswanathan Anand |
Retirement and Recognition | – Announced retirement from competitive chess in August 2014 |
32. Rusudan Goletiani
Rusudan Goletiani is a chess player of Georgian and American descent who holds the titles of FIDE International Grandmaster and Grandmaster. She was born on September 8, 1980. She is a three-time global champion in her age group, the continental US women’s champion in 2003, and the US women’s champion in 2005.
Rusudan Goletiani | Information |
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Full Name | Rusudan Goletiani |
Nationality | United States (after 2000) |
Titles | International Master |
Achievements | Three-time world girls’ champion in her age category |
Notable Championships | Soviet junior champion for girls under 12 |
Women’s World Chess | Qualified for the Women’s World Chess Championship |
Championship Qualifier | Top finish in Georgian zonal tournament |
Chess Career in the US | Moved to the United States and represented the country |
Notable Results | Bronze medalist at the Women’s Chess Olympiad |
Recent Performances | Competed in the US Women’s Championship |
33. Arianne Caoili
Arianne Bo Caoili, a Filipino-Australian chess player, died on March 30, 2020. She was born on December 22, 1986, and died on March 30, 2020. She won the Oceania women’s chess championship in 2009 and competed in seven Women’s Chess Olympiads, earning the FIDE title of Woman International Master. She was a financial expert and acted as a counselor to Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan outside of chess.
Arianne Caoili | Information |
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Full Name | Arianne Bo Caoili |
Nationality | Filipino and Australian |
Title | Woman International Master |
Notable Achievements | Oceania Women’s Chess Champion (2009) |
Chess Olympiads | Competed in seven Women’s Chess Olympiads |
Occupation | Financial consultant, singer, advisor to Armenian prime minister Karen Karapetyan |
Birthdate | 22 December 1986 |
Birthplace | Manila, Philippines |
Residence | Yerevan, Armenia |
Education | Ph.D. studies on “Russian foreign policy, especially its economic and business relations with Armenia” |
Notable Tournaments | London Chess Classic Women’s Invitational tournament, Asian girls under 16 championship |
Peak Rating | 2309 (October 2002) |
Relationship Status | Married to Levon Aronian (world’s top chess grandmaster) |
Death | 30 March 2020, Yerevan, Armenia (due to injuries from a car crash) |
Music Career | Released the album “Hold On” with songs such as “To Find You,” “Summer Days,” “On a String,” |
34. Tatev Abrahamyan
Tatev Abrahamyan is an Armenian-American chess player born on January 13, 1988. She is known as the Female Giant (WGM). Abrahamyan earned bronze in the tiebreak after finishing first in the U12 women’s section at the 1999 European Youth Chess Championship against Nana Dzagnidze and Varvara Kirillova.
Tatev Abrahamyan | Information |
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Full Name | Tatev Abrahamyan |
Birthdate | January 13, 1988 (age 35) |
Nationality | Armenian-American |
Title | Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Residence | Glendale, California, United States |
Education | California State University, Long Beach |
Achievements | – Tied for first place in Girls U12 section of the 1999 European Youth Chess Championships, securing the bronze medal on tiebreak. |
Team Competitions | Represented the United States in the Women’s Chess Olympiad and Women’s World Team Chess Championship, contributing to the national team’s success. |
35. Irina Krush
Irina Borisivna Krush, an American chess player and current female Grandmaster was born on December 24, 1983. FIDE bestowed the title on her in 2013. Krush has won the US women’s championship eight times.
Irina Krush | Information |
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Full Name | Irina Borisivna Krush |
Country | United States |
Born | December 24, 1983 (age 39) |
Birthplace | Odesa, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
Title | Grandmaster (2013) |
FIDE Rating | 2447 (July 2023) |
Peak Rating | 2502 (October 2013) |
36. Kateryna Lagno
Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Lagno is a Russian (previously Ukrainian) chess grandmaster born on December 27, 1989. She was a chess prodigy who, at the age of 12 years, four months, and two days earned the title of Female Grandmaster (WGM). She was given the rank of Grandmaster in 2007.
Kateryna Lagno | Information |
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Full Name | Kateryna Lagno |
Birthdate | December 27, 1989 (age 33) |
Birthplace | Lviv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
Country | Ukraine (until 2014), Russia (since 2014) |
Title | Grandmaster |
FIDE Rating | 2552 (July 2023) |
Women’s Ranking | No. 5 in FIDE World Rankings (July 2023) |
– Women’s World Rapid Champion | 2014 |
– Women’s World Blitz Champion | 2010, 2018, 2019 |
– Women’s Vice World Champion | 2018 |
– European Women’s Champion | Twice winner |
– Chess Olympiad | Team gold medals in 2006 and 2014 (playing for Ukraine and Russia) |
– Women’s World Team Championship | Team gold medals in 2013 (Ukraine) and 2017, 2021 (Russia) |
– Women’s European Team Championship | Winner in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 |
– Girls Under 10 World Youth Chess Championships | Winner in 1999 |
– Girls Under 14 European Youth Chess Championships | Winner in 2001 |
– European Individual Women’s Championship | Winner in 2005 and 2008 |
– Marital Status | Married to Alexander Grischuk |
– Children | Four children |
37. Marie Sebag
Marie Rachel Sebag, a chess grandmaster from France, was born on October 15, 1986. She has won the French women’s chess championship twice. Sebag won the European Junior Chess Championship (women under 12) in 1998, a feat she repeated in 1999 (women’s U14) and 2002 (women’s U16). In 2004, she tied for first place in the U18 women’s division at the World Youth Chess Championships with Jolanta Zawadzka, who beat her in a tie-break. In 2006, she advanced to the Women’s World Chess Championship quarterfinals, defeated by Svetlana Matveeva.
Marie Sebag | Information |
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38. Monika Soćko
Monika Soko is a Polish chess player born on March 24, 1978. She has won the Polish women’s chess championship on eight occasions (in 1995, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017).
Monika So ko | Information |
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Full Name | Monika Soćko |
Country | Poland |
Born | March 24, 1978 (age 45), Warsaw, Poland |
Title | Grandmaster (GM), Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
Achievements | 8-time winner of the Polish Women’s Chess Championship |
Notable Achievement | Successfully appealed a dispute in the 2008 Women’s World Championship to advance to the next round. |
39. Valentina Evgenyevna
Valentina Evgenyevna is a Russian chess grandmaster born in Murmansk on February 4, 1989. She has won the European Women’s Individual Chess Championship three times (in 2012, 2014, and 2018) and the Russian Women’s Chess Championship four times (2011, 2013, 2014, 2021). She was a member of the Russian women’s chess team that won gold at the Women’s Chess Olympiad in 2010, 2012, and 2014, as well as gold at the European Women’s Chess Championship in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2019, as well as the Women’s World Team Chess Championship. 2017’s Champion of the Year. Gunina won the 2016 London Open Super Classics with one of the best female performances ever seen at a top-level chess tournament, defeating several male Grandmasters in the process.
Valentina Evgenyevna | Information |
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Full Name | Valentina Evgenyevna Gunina |
Country | Russia |
Born | February 4, 1989 (age 34) in Murmansk, Russia |
Title | Grandmaster (2013) |
FIDE rating | 2457 (July 2023) |
Peak rating | 2548 (June 2015) |
Ranking | No. 16 ranked woman in the March 2016 FIDE World Rankings |
European Championships | Three-time winner of the Women’s European Individual Chess Championship (2012, 2014, 2018) |
Russian Championships | Four-time winner of the Russian Women’s Championship (2011, 2013, 2014, 2021) |
Team Achievements | Member of the gold medal-winning Russian team at the Women’s Chess Olympiads (2010, 2012, 2014), Women’s European Team Chess Championships (2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019), and Women’s World Team Chess Championship (2017) |
London Chess Classic | Winner of the 2016 London Chess Classic Super Rapidplay Open, achieving remarkable results against male Grandmasters |
Youth Championships | Gold medalist in the European under-12 girls championship (2000), World U14 girls championship (2003), European U16 girls championship (2004), and World U18 girls championship (2007) |
World Blitz Championship | Winner of the Women’s World Blitz Championship (2012) |
Women’s Speed Chess Championship | Dominated the quarterfinal match in the 2019 Women’s Speed Chess Championship |
The Cairns Cup | First-ever winner of The Cairns Cup in Saint Louis (February 2019) |
Recognition | Awarded the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”, 1st class, for achievements at the XXXXI World Chess Olympiad |
Solidarity with Ukraine | Signatory of an open letter expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people and protesting against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
40. Eva Moser
Eva Moser was an Austrian chess player who lived from July 26, 1982, to March 31, 2019. She was named International Master (IM) in 2004 and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2003. (WGM). Moser won the Austrian chess championships in both the men’s and women’s categories. In 2008, she participated in the Women’s World Chess Championship.
Eva Moser | Information |
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Full Name | Eva Moser |
Country | Austria |
Born | July 26, 1982 |
Died | March 31, 2019 |
Titles | International Master (IM) |
Chess Championships | Absolute and Women’s Austrian Chess Championships |
Women’s World Chess Championship Participation | 2008 |
Early Success | Eight-time winner of Austrian Chess Championship for Girls (Various Age Groups) |
European Youth Chess Championships | Silver medalist in Under 16 girls’ event |
Team Representation | Represented Austria in Women’s Chess Olympiad, Women’s European Team Chess Championship, and Mitropa Cup |
Notable Victories | Winner of Dresden Women’s Event (2000), Jena Open (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), Chess Ladies Vienna (2012, 2013) |
Chess Instruction | Published instructional chess DVDs with ChessBase |
Education | Degree in Business Administration (Graz, 2009) |
Work | Former employee of “Schach-Aktiv” chess magazine |
Cause of Death | Leukemia |