Natalia Pogonina : About me

Natalia Pogonina : About me

Grandmaster Natalia Pogonina

Natalia Pogonina : About me

Natalia Pogonina

Natalia Pogonina


(born on March 9, 1985) is one of the best female chess players in the world, member of the Russian Olympic chess team.

Woman Grandmaster (WGM), three-times European champion (U16, twice U18), bronze prize winner at the World Championship (U18) and European Women Championship, winner of the gold medal at the 1st International Mind Sports Games, co-winner of the 2008 Student World Championship, and #1 at multiple prestigious international tournaments (2005 – Bykova Memorial, 2007 – Rudenko memorial, 2009 – Moscow Open, etc.). Olympic Chess Champion (team & individual gold medals in 2012), reigning Russian Women's Chess Champion.

Ranked as 3rd most successful female chess player in the world in 2009 by the Association of Chess Professionals.

Her current FIDE rating is over 2500 – a mark that is associated with the title of a male Grandmaster.

Other notable facts:

  • Actively promotes chess by writing articles, commentating on top chess events, giving simultaneous exhibitions, judging contests, communicating with chess fans, etc.
  • Author of potential bestseller Chess Kama Sutra
  • Won a vote chess game against the World in 2010 (almost 4000 people from over 100 countries participated)
  • Has been featured in NY Times, Washington Post, Times, Toronto Star and other influential media
  • Natalia’s website– http://www.pogonina.com – is one of the most popular chess blogs in the world



  • Grandmaster Natalia Pogonina



    Posted to Grandmaster Natalia Pogonina

    Show Comments (119)
    Comments (119)

    • Posted 3854 days 2 hours and 19 minutes ago
      Standard memberValterSkelter
      "one of the best female chess players in the world", also the most beautiful one... not that this matters to your rating! ahah
    • Posted 4835 days 13 hours and 16 minutes ago
      Standard memberjanerules88
      Its really cool ur up there with the elite...gives me hope but somehow i recn its already impregnated at birth...i wish u well..X
    • Posted 4837 days 15 hours and 23 minutes ago
      Standard memberNatalia Pogonina
      @greenpawn34 Definitely not for complete beginners. Aimed at club players and above.

      @Checkers42 Parenthood, since chess can be a minor part of parenthood (if one decided to teach her/his kids how to play).

      @musirapha Baira is my best friend. It was hard for me psychologically to face her. Also, I was burnt-out after sharing 1st at the Superfinal. Other factors too. Thanks!

      @Nicholas Karras I am skeptical about switching to Fischer Random or some other chess variation. Chess is very far from having being explored to the end.
    • Posted 4852 days 4 hours and 48 minutes ago
      Standard memberNicholas Karras
      Hi Natalia,
      Thanks for all your answers. Sometimes I worry if current chess can withstand all this super computer analysis. Although it seems that it is infinite I get concerned if we can continue playing with lesser and lesser amounts of originality.
      Do you think Chess 960 will take over at some point?
      I have an idea of a new piece. This new piece will move like a Night and a Bishop with limited control on the number of squares when it acts as a Bishop. If we add these 2 pieces we will be playing on a 10 x 10 board -- 100 squares. The game would be so complicated that it may be immune to analysis.
      As a GM do you feel we need such a change. Thank you and best wishes to you.
    • Posted 4861 days 12 hours and 29 minutes ago
      Standard membermusirapha
      Hi Natalia,
      Of course sorry about your result in the Women World Championships.
      Seems that Baira played some marvellous chess, but your play seemed quite passive to me. In both games I guess you lost because of a wrong position of your queen. Do you agree with this ? Did you know well your opponent ?
      How did you feel psychologically ? Thanks for your answers, and the best to you in the future.
    • Posted 4871 days 13 hours and 15 minutes ago
      Standard memberCheckers42
      Whats more challenging, chess or parenthood?
    • Posted 4875 days 18 hours and 17 minutes ago
      Subscribergreenpawn34
      'Grandmaster Natalia Pogonina Teaches Chess.'

      A beginners book or one for the lower end of the middle
      market. 1400-1800. Often feel this bunch are neglected
      and it's a shame as it is them that buy the majority of the books.

      The books are either too basic for them or go right above their heads.
    • Posted 4880 days 13 hours and 37 minutes ago
      Standard memberNatalia Pogonina
      @marlusk Thanks. I am working on two books - Chess Kama Sutra & Grandmaster Natalia Pogonina teaches chess.
    • Posted 4881 days 6 hours and 25 minutes ago
      Standard membermarlusk
      Any new books in the works???
      Your bio is an inspiration!
    • Posted 4909 days 13 hours and 15 minutes ago
      Standard memberLifehouse
      Comment removed

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