childhood
Born on 30 August 1985 in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Her mother introduced her to chess at age seven, along with painting and music, believing the game would develop her intellectual and creative talents.
Her parents "did not have any far-fetched goals, they just believed that chess is good for children's development, and enrolled me at a chess club".
Became the Ukrainian Girls' (under 20) champion at age 15.
education
Studied chess at the Kharkiv sports school of Olympic reserve from 2000 to 2002.
Graduated from the Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture with a degree in physical education.
Her chess skills were largely self-taught, though she studied under IM Artiom Tsepotan at the Kharkiv chess school.
career
14th Women's World Chess Champion, winning the title in November 2012 by defeating Antoaneta Stefanova in a tiebreak in Khanty-Mansiysk.
Became Ukraine's first Women's World Chess Champion.
Earned the WGM title in 2003 and the IM title in January 2007.
Won the Ukrainian Women's Championship in 2005 and finished second in 2006.
Part of the victorious Ukrainian team at the 2006 Turin Women's Olympiad (gold) and the 2022 Chennai Olympiad (gold).
Known for her fighting qualities and her ability to perform under pressure in knockout competitions.
stories & anecdotes
At the 2022 Chess Olympiad, after Ukraine won gold, Ushenina said with a quivering voice: "It's obviously a great feeling, but the medal can't stop a war." There was a moment of stunned silence as her voice echoed across the packed room.
She said: "I had to move away from my home city due to Russian attacks. It's been difficult".
"It won't change anything in the war, unfortunately. I don't know what to say. Majority of us want peace".
She described her training regimen: "I train five to eight hours a day".
quotes
"It's obviously a great feeling, but the medal can't stop a war."
"My heart and soul are with the people in Ukraine."
"I wanted to play against strong opponents."
publications
Ushenina has not authored a major instructional book, but her games have been collected in various volumes.
Play through Anna Ushenina’s games
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Editorial note: this profile was adapted from supplied research notes. Historical details and attributed quotations should be fact-checked before formal publication.