As we all are familiar with the term ‘Grandmaster” you will be surprised to know about another grandmaster title which is Women Grandmaster in Chess title. As the title is different for women chess rules will also be different for them.
Let’s delve into another world of chess mastery that is WGM and also explore its concept and differences between grandmasters and top female chess grandmasters.
What does Women Chess Grandmaster Mean?
If you are female and have a strong command of chess, you can earn this title. WGM is also awarded by FIDE but only to female chess champions. It is the highest FIDE title for women among all other titles which include Women FIDE master, women international master, and women candidate master. Women Chess Grandmasters are skilled chess players who perform at high levels with a high level of expertise and skills.
Differences b/w women chess grandmaster and Chess Grandmaster
Women Chess Grandmaster | Chess Grandmaster |
This is the bonus title only for women chess players. | Both men and women can earn this title. |
Women player need three grandmaster norms and 2300 FIDE rating to earn this title. | Player must have 3 grandmaster norms with at least 2500 FIDE ratings to achieve this title. |
How to Become Women Chess Grandmaster?
This grandmaster title was first introduced in 1976. As the name indicates this title can only be achieved by female chess players who have played at least 30 rated games and must have achieved the classical FIDE rating of 2300.
Famous Women Chess Grandmasters in the World
As compared to Chess Grandmasters, the number of women chess players is much less. There are only 39 women chess players across the world who have earned the women’s chess grandmaster title.
Let’s have a look at top Women Chess Grandmasters who have revolutionized the world of chess and also changed their own lives.
- Judit Polgar
Judit was only 15 years old when she challenged and defeated the grandmaster “Bobby Fischer” and also broke his records and ultimately won the title of “International Grandmaster” which is the highest title. She played chess throughout her whole life starting at the age of 5. Her achievements include:
- Won an international chess tournament at the age of nine
- Defeated a grandmaster at the age of 11
- Award of high rated female player in the history
- Zhu Chen
She is the 1st Chinese player who won an international chess championship and is also known as a terrific chess female grandmaster. Her achievements are the following;
- 20th ranked women according to 2012 FIDE ranking
- Became grandmaster in 2001
- Two-time chess tournament winner in 1994 and 1996.
- Humpy Koneru
Humpy Koneru became the youngest female grandmaster by breaking the record of Judit Polgar. Her achievements list includes:
- Become a Women Grandmaster in Chess at the age of 15
- Won the bronze medal at the world championship in 2015 in China
- Won women’s rapid championship in 2019
- Won the award of BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year in 2020.
- Kateryna Lagno
Kateryna was born with exceptional skills and qualities and started her career in chess at an early age. Her achievements are listed below:
- Won European and world chess championships of youth at the age of 10.
- Become WGM at the age of 12.
- Won gold medal two times in 2006 and 2014 at women’s chess Olympiad.
- Hou Yifan
Hou Yifan is a Chinese chess player who started chess at the age of 3 but started to show her skills and expertise at the age of 5. Her achievements are the following;
- Won women’s world chess championship 4 times.
- Achieved the title of Female Chess Master at the age of 14 in 2008.
- Became the youngest professor at the age of 26 at Shenzhen University.
- Yelena Dembo
Yelena is a wonder child. She started reading when she was 2.5 years old and at the age of 3, she started playing chess. She was influenced by her mother; Nadezhda who was USSR master in chess. Yelena’s achievements are the following;
- Won the title of woman grandmaster at the age of 17.
- Won the title of an international master at the age of 19.
- Won the Israel Girl championship 5 times in her career.
- Harika Dronavalli
After Humpy Koneru, Harika is the 2nd Indian female to win the title of Women’s Chess Grandmaster. She grabbed many titles in her chess career. Her achievements are the following;
- Won chess championship 3 times in 2012, 2015, and 2017.
- Achieved the Arjuna Award in 2007 by the government of India.
- Gained Padma Shri award in 2019.
Besides these women chess grandmasters, there are also many other women who have performed extraordinary in the history of chess.
FAQs
Why Women Chess Grandmasters are less than Chess Grandmasters?
Initially, chess was played considering gender and this norm was broken when Judit Polgar became the first-ranked Chess Grandmaster in the world and changed the perspective of the whole world.
Why is Chess so Difficult Game to Learn?
Although chess is a difficult and complicated game it is not something that can never be learned. The only thing you need is to learn the basic rules and principles of games and also train your mind to be an expert in the opening, middle game, and Endgame Techniques.