HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Feb. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/
Wood chess pieces manufacturer, The House of Staunton, highlights the history of women in chess and celebrates notable female chess players.
Men and women began playing chess at the same time in the U.S., but women weren't able to join male-dominated chess clubs and tournaments, so they started their own clubs. Over time, ladies' chess clubs grew in popularity and women started to enter the mainstream chess scene. In 1937, the first Women's Chess Championship was held in New York City— it was organized by the wife of a well-known chess champion. And, in 1986, the first woman qualified for the Men's World Chess Championship.
Of course, notable female chess players can be found around the world. The House of Staunton, celebrates a few of them:
Grace Alekhine (1876-1956): Grace Alekhine was a chess master and artist. She was also the last wife of World Chess Champion Alexander Alekhine (1892 –1946). She and Alexander met at a chess tournament in Tokyo. Grace won that competition and received one of Alekhine's books as a prize.
Mary Bain (1904-1972): Bain was a top-notch competitor in the 1937 and 1952 Women's World Chess Championship, and she was the first American woman to represent the United States in chess competition. In 1952, she won the Woman International Master title, and in 1951, she won the U.S. Women's Chess Championship.
Ruth Cardoso (1934-2000): Cardoso was a well-known chess personality and highly respected player. In fact, she was, arguably, South America's most influential female player. She won the Brazilian Chess Championship multiple times and played in numerous Chess Olympiads. Though she spent time playing chess in the U.S., she earned a great deal of respect playing in grandmaster tournaments in Europe.
Cristina Adela Foișor (1967-2017): Foisor was a Romanian chess player. In 1991, she earned the title Woman Grandmaster and, in 1997, International Master. She studied mathematics and won the Women's Romanian Chess Tournament multiple times.
Mary Dinorah Gilchrist (1882-1947): Gilchrist was a notable Scottish chess player. In 1929 and 1934, she won the British Chess Championship. At the fourth Women's World Chess Championship she placed third. And, she tied for a position in the top ten at the 6th Women's World Chess Championship.
About The House of Staunton: The House of Staunton is an American locally owned and operated small business. For over 27 years, they have manufactured the world's finest chess equipment. They sell a wide variety of chess sets, chess boards, and chess boxes, and are the equipment provider for top chess tournaments worldwide. Their chess sets are featured in numerous movies and television shows as well as on book covers and in print ads!
Media Contact: Shawn P. Sullivan, The House of Staunton, Inc., 256.858.8070, shawn@houseofstaunton.com
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SOURCE The House of Staunton, Inc.
