How Women’s World Champions Shaped Chess
Women’s chess has come a long way since Vera Menchik became the first Women’s World Champion nearly a century ago. Over the years, 17 women have held the title, inspiring generations and breaking barriers in the chess world.
Breaking Barriers: Vera Menchik
Vera Menchik made history in 1927 when she became the first Women’s World Chess Champion. She dominated the women’s game, winning eight championship titles.
Despite facing skepticism, she competed against top male players and defeated renowned masters like Euwe and Reshevsky.
Sadly, her life was cut short in 1944 during the bombing of London, but her legacy remains.
Soviet Dominance After World War II
After the war, the Soviet Union became the center of chess. Lyudmila Rudenko, a former swimming champion, won the title in 1950. Elisaveta Bykova followed, reclaiming the crown after initially losing it.
In 1962, Nona Gaprindashvili changed the game. At just 21, she won the world title and later became the first woman awarded the Grandmaster title. Her success sparked a chess revolution in Georgia, which remains a powerhouse in women’s chess today.
Gaprindashvili eventually lost her title to fellow Georgian Maia Chiburdanidze in 1978. At just 17, Chiburdanidze became the youngest world champion at the time.
China’s Rise in Women’s Chess
In 1991, Xie Jun became the first Chinese Women’s World Champion, marking China’s emergence as a chess superpower. She defended her title in 1993 and became Asia’s first female Grandmaster. Her success inspired a wave of strong Chinese women players.
Later champions like Zhu Chen, Xu Yuhua, Hou Yifan, Tan Zhongyi, and Ju Wenjun continued China’s dominance. Hou Yifan, who won her first title at 16, remains the highest-rated female player in history.
The Polgar Sisters: Challenging Traditions
The Polgar sisters from Hungary—Judit, Susan, and Sofia—changed women’s chess forever. Their father, László Polgar, trained them to prove that genius is made, not born.
Judit Polgar became the strongest female player of all time, breaking into the world’s top 10 and defeating multiple world champions.
Susan Polgar won the Women’s World Championship in 1996, while Sofia achieved one of the greatest tournament performances in history.
China’s Chess Dynasty
After Xie Jun, China continued its success in women’s chess. Zhu Chen, Xu Yuhua, and Hou Yifan all claimed the title. Hou Yifan, who won at just 16, remains the highest-rated female player in history. Unlike many champions, she chose an academic career while still competing at an elite level.
Ju Wenjun, the current champion, has successfully defended her title multiple times. She will face Tan Zhongyi in April 2025, marking another major event in women’s chess.
The Future of Women’s Chess
Women’s chess has grown significantly, but challenges remain. Sponsorship, opportunities, and recognition still need improvement. However, the contributions of champions like Menchik, Gaprindashvili, Hou, and Polgar have reshaped chess history.
Next time you play, remember—the queen is the most powerful piece on the board. And women in chess have proven that time and again.
Photos: Michal Walusza, Anna Shtourman, Lennart Ootes, Eng Chin An, Dmitry Donskoy/ Sputnik, NEWSGEORGIA, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
