Pia Cramling is a Swedish chess player who is recognized for her outstanding performance in the world of chess. Born in 1963, she is an International Grandmaster, Woman Grandmaster, and has represented her nation in numerous chess championships worldwide.
Cramling pursued her passion for chess in her early childhood and became a Woman Grandmaster in 1982. Two decades later, she was awarded the title of International Grandmaster, which is the highest title a chess player can attain. She was the eighth woman in history to achieve this honor.
In her career, she has won several prestigious tournaments. In 1983, she won the Women's European Individual Chess Championship, and she clinched first place at the Women's World Chess Championship in 2006. In 2015, Cramling defeated Anna Muzychuk to win the European Women's Blitz Championship.
Cramling has participated in Chess Olympiads multiple times, representing her native country, Sweden. Her participation in these team events since 1978 has led her to achieve noteworthy success, aiding her team in securing multiple top ten finishes.
She was inducted into the Swedish Chess Hall of Fame in 2011. Married to Spanish Grandmaster Juan Manuel Bellón López, they reside in Spain with their daughter Anna, who also plays chess in international competitions.
Throughout her career, she has proved to be one of the most successful female chess players, whose achievements have made significant progress in developing women's chess internationally.