Menchikov Faith

Born February 16, 1906 in Moscow

Eight-time world champion among women.


Vera Menchikov - a living legend in women's chess. Not a single world champion failed to demonstrate their superiority so clearly to show in comparison with rivals playing a completely different level. It was not just stronger, and two heads above all other women. In four world championships Menchikov generally showed absolute results. It is interesting that in the first world championship in 1927, which ended its unconditional victory, Menchikov played for Russia. In chess, she learned to play in nine years, and at sixteen, after the family moved to England, began to attend chess lectures MarцЁczy and take lessons from the famous maestro.

Menchikov life considered myself his pupil. Showed a time that is very capable. It is in the position understanding it first surpassed all other women. Of course, playing in men's tournaments Vera Frantsevna was not easy. As a rule, it was provided in the lower part of the tournament table. But do not forget that Menchikov played not just with men, and with the best of the best. Everyone knows the so-called 'club Vera Menchikov', which caught the men chess players, who lost a champion of the world. Joking aside, Menchikov won such players as Sultan Khan, Euwe, Reshevsky (with the latter two it generally positive account), not to mention the strengths of British masters. How to know how much more faith Frantsevna reigned on the women's chess throne, though: Her life ended tragically. The first world champion was killed during the bombing of London in 1944 with his mother and sister. In memory of an outstanding chess player, a cup, which is awarded to the winner in the women's team competitions, bears the name of Faith Menchikov.