Mariya Muzychuk

Born on 21 September 1992 in Stryi, Lviv Region, Ukraine.

First taught chess at age two by her parents; by age three she knew all the chess pieces.

Her parents, Natalia and Oleh Muzychuk, both chess coaches, worked at a local sports school for children in the village of Uhersko.

Her elder sister, Anna Muzychuk (born 1990), also a chess grandmaster, helped train her at home alongside their parents.

Took part in her first chess tournament at age six.

At age seven, began participating in Ukrainian youth championships; at age 11, was shortlisted for the Ukrainian women's championship.

Trained primarily at home with her family and at the local sports school where her parents worked.

After completing university studies, her parents founded a chess school in Stryi.

Mariya studied at the same chess school as her sister and developed her skills through the Ukrainian chess system.

15th Women's World Chess Champion, winning the 2015 knockout tournament in Sochi.

In the 2015 final, she defeated Natalija Pogonina after eliminating Yuanling Yuan, Monika Socko, Antoaneta Stefanova, Humpy Koneru, and Harika Dronavalli one by one.

Failed to defend her title in March 2016, losing to Hou Yifan (+0-3=6).

Won the Ukrainian and European championships for children under 10 in 2002.

Won the world youth championship for children under 14 and repeatedly won medals at European and world youth championships.

Awarded the Woman Grandmaster title through her European women's championship results, and the International Master title in 2008.

Became a full Grandmaster in 2015 after strong international results.

Part of the Ukrainian team that won gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad.

Mariya and her sister Anna started playing chess at age two, similar to the Polgar sisters. She stated: "Our case is pretty much similar to the Polgars".

When she won the World Championship in 2015, her first thought was: "Is this really my happy day?".

On winning the 2022 Olympiad team gold, she said: "It's very special as earlier we had won individual medals but this was one of our dreams to win the first team gold".

"I prefer open positions, but as a professional chess player, I have to be versatile and play all kinds of positions."

"Chess gives you the opportunity to travel and meet new people."

"My first thought was: is this really my happy day?!"

Muzychuk has not authored a major instructional book, but her games have been collected in various volumes.