After watching The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, I realised there was less conversation about female chess players in mainstream media. It was only after this show, I believe, that people wanted to know more about female chess players. So, on International Chess Day, I have listed down five female chess players who beat some of the greatest male players in history, and you will be surprised to know that two of those five players are Indian.
5. Harika Dronavalli
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix champion, Harika Dronavalli is one of the top-rated chess champions in India right now. She has been bestowed with the Padma Shri and Arjuna awards by the Indin government due to her exceptional gameplay. She has beaten England’s Martin P Burrows, and Bulgaria’s Antoaneta Stefanova in tough games.
4. GM Nona Gaprindashvili
Georgian player Nona Gaprindashvili scripted history by securing the title of the world’s first female Grand Master. Nona remained the female champion for 16 years, and also emerged a champion during the women’s Olympiad where she won the gold medal 11 times.
3. GM Hou Yifan
GM Hou Yifan broke the record of being the youngest female world champion in 2016 and two years before she surpassed Judit Polgar to become a Grand Master at the age of 14. She has beaten GM Fabiano Caruana. Hou Yifan was considered a chess prodigy once and has now semi-retired from the game.
2. Humpy Koneru
Humpy Koneru was the first woman ever to win the title of a Grand Master at the age of 15, making her the youngest female ever to do so. She has been bestowed with the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award as well.
Also read: Viswanathan Anand Left Stumped After Little Girls Ask Him Chess Question. It Is A Checkmate!
1. GM Judit Polgar
Hailing from Hungary, Judit Polgar is considered one of the best players in the world who has defeated Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen when they were number one in the game. Polgar has been awarded the Female Chess Player of the Century in 2001.
Which of thee is your favourite chess player?