Player Profile: Anna Olehivna Muzychuk

Peak FIDE Rating: 2606 (Achieved in 2012)  

Active Since:  2003 (earliest FIDE record)  

Federation: Ukraine (formerly Slovenia, 2004–2014)

Player Description:

The year 1990 had been marked with political agitation for the Ukrainian domain under USSR, An anticipation of a long awaited emancipation from the communist autocracy was in the air for the this proud Eastern European country, what they did not anticipate was that one of the greatest chess players that the country has ever had, would also be born that same year in the city of Lviv. Ukrainian and ex-Slovenian international Anna Muzychuk’s career has been full of trophies and controversies, but no one can deny she has been a powerful driving force in the women’s chess sphere and has been influential in facilitating love for chess among young girls throughout the globe. 

Anna, unlike so many other greats of this game, did not simply stumble upon chess as a young girl, instead, she was methodically curated to be a tactical machine by her parents who were chess coaches. They started to familiarize her with the “family business” at the tender age of 2. By the age of 6 she had won the European Youth Chess Championship under 8 girls division. She didn’t stop there and went on to win the Under 10,12 and 14 divisions as well in the upcoming years. This is when her first clash with the Ukrainian chess federation started.

She won the Ukrainian Women’s Championship at the age of 13 in 2003 but was frustrated with her slow progression under the Ukrainian chess federation. Her incredible talent caught the eye of the Slovenian Federation who handed her a 10 year contract to represent the country. Muzychuk grabbed this opportunity and started representing Slovenia.  During this reign she encountered her biggest milestones on an individual level as a player as she cleared the International Master norm at the age of just 17 and the Grand Master norm at the age of 21. 

Since 2014, after her contract with the Slovenian federation ended, she has been representing her birth nation Ukraine. 

Anna Muzychuk’s career’s one of the biggest controversies had been her refusal to defend her titles at the 2017 World Rapid & Blitz Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, due to the country’s restrictive dress codes and unequal treatment of women. 

Saudi’s neighboring country Qatar had seen many protestors raising similar concerns as Muzychuk when they hosted the Football World Cup 2022, however no major team or player dared to speak - up against the human rights violations to the level this Grand Master had 5 years prior. She was the reigning champion in both formats (2016 titles) but decided to opt out , stating, "I will follow my principles”. 

The event required women to wear abayas and barred them from traveling without male guardians. Her boycott drew global attention to sexism in chess and sports politics.  

Career Scorecard:

World Championship Cycle Appearances:

• Women’s World Champion (Rapid: 2016, 2017; Blitz: 2014, 2016).  

• Women’s World Championship Candidate (2015, 2017, 2019).  

National Championships:

• Ukrainian Women’s Champion (2014, 2018).   Slovenian Women’s Champion (2006, 2009, 2011).  

Olympiad Medals: 

• Gold (Team) – 2022 Chennai Olympiad (Ukraine).  

• Bronze (Team) – 2016 Baku Olympiad (Ukraine).  

• Bronze (Individual) – 2014 Tromsø Olympiad (Board 1).  

Tournaments Won:

• Women's World Rapid Chess Championship 2016

• Women's World Blitz Chess Championship (2014, 2016)

Memorable Games:

1. Muzychuk vs. Xue Zhao (2016 World Blitz Championship) – Muzychuk humiliated Xue Zhao’s defense and clinched a win through checkmate. She started the match with her usual E4 opening and took advantage of Xue’s weak defense. 

2. Muzychuk vs. Zhongyi Tan (2017 Women's World Championship) – Starting with her signature E4 opening, Muzychuk stunned the Chinese grand master with her tactical prowess. She methodically shredded open black’s position through ranges of tactical sacrifices and Tan ended up resigning after 32 moves.