http://wp.me/p9e0H-2F9

Sharing some great news in the chess world.

This is some fantastic news for South Africa and also for Africa. Melissa Greeff, age 15 (+4 months) is now an International Woman Grandmaster.

This is very inspiring for all players from our country to continue and to follow! On the link you can see more about her and find links to games of her.

she is the 1st WGM. but are there no GMs from your country?

Nope, we don't have any, she's the first WGrandmaster, we have Fide Masters, Chess Masters, International Masters, etc. but not Grandmasters/Woman Grandmasters.That's why this news is great news to share!  Remember, South Africa is a country on its own...believe it or not..some people think we are "africa" and Africa is a continent.

LOL, there are people who are unaware that South Africa is a country??!?

For the most part, IMs tend to be stronger than WGMs.

blackwaive: i thought they were around equal strength?

If Lesotho got a GM, would that technichally be considered a first GM for South Africa, then?

 Yes, James, unbelievable, but true!

 Hi bugoobiga,

Lesotho is a country on it's own and I'm not aware of Lesotho's GM. Zambia has got one and as far as I know, Melissa is now the second GM South of the Sahara. Lesotho is an enclaved country inside South Africa, but it is not SA and SA is not Lesotho...two completely different countries with their own governments.

Amon Simutowe is Zambia's GM. Melissa is also the African Individual Chess Champion of 2009 - Women's section.

Hi Annabelle

It`s great news about Melissa i know but i would like to see her play more touraments or what do you think?

 The rating requirement for IM is 100 points more.

 Hi Jaak, Yes, I don't think we're always aware of all her tournaments as Chessa is not really a good example  exposing our players more.

 Hi Deep_Emotions...yes, it's true..but this has nothing to do with the chess discussion here? We can go in all sorts of discussions when it comes to diff countries and statistics..but let's leave it for another thread..maybe you can start one?

Congratz on your first GM :)

I wish i lived the day to see Serbia's First gm.. altohugh im happy that they didnt JUST get a Gm :P.

Whats with the Rape stastistics? Some people are idiots.

Shes pretty cute. :P

 Statistics show that your an idiot

Statistics.. you gotta love them.

Alright smart one..

attacking South Africa is immature, why not just congratulate someone rather then attaking there country?

I assume your racist? no?

 Hi Deep_Emotions

Why don't you start a new thread about this topic? I don't want anyone to discuss anything relating to this in this thread. This is about the girl who gained a title...nothing else. We can then discuss all other statistics..in the other thread...like adults.

I agree on keeping the distinction between WGM and GM very clear. WGM has GM in the title but is less than IM. We should never confuse the two titles as being the same or even similar. 200 points is huge at that level, and there aren't that many who can ever get from 2300 to 2500. Huge.

Congratulations to her and her fans, of course.

Let us know when u get a men's GM ok. Congrats on ur first WGM though and i hope to hear about more of both men's and woman's GM's in the near future.

Australia has 3 GM's now just as a side note.

 Ha, even Sweden has 3 GM's, and we are only 9 millions, how many are there in Australia?