Anna Muzychuk: the queen of fast chess

Some decisions define a person more than any victory. Anna Muzychuk is world champion in rapid and blitz, one of the best players in history, but also the woman who gave up defending her titles on principle. Her chess is as bold as her character.

Who is Anna

She was born on November 28, 1990 in Lviv, Ukraine, two years before her sister Mariya. Both grew up immersed in chess and both would reach the top of world women’s chess.

Anna stood out from a young age for her calculation speed and tactical sharpness, qualities that made her a natural specialist in rapid and blitz games.

Double world champion

In 2016 she won the Women’s World Rapid Championship and in 2017 the blitz title. In both formats, her combination of speed, tactics, and cool-headedness made her practically unbeatable.

The Saudi Arabia boycott

In December 2017, FIDE held the World Championship in Saudi Arabia. Anna, who was due to defend her titles, refused to take part in protest against the restrictions imposed on women in the country. She lost the chance to defend her crowns, but earned the respect of the whole world.

Her chess DNA

In our chess DNA system, Anna represents the queen of fast chess profile: sharp tactics, very high clock speed, and an aggressiveness that grows under time pressure. If your GM twin is Anna Muzychuk, your strength is fast games and calculation under pressure.

Keep exploring

• Mariya Muzychuk, her world champion sister
• Hikaru Nakamura, another master of speed
• Ju Wenjun, another leading figure in women’s chess
• All players