WGM RusudanGoletiani
Rusudan Goletiani
Abkhazia, Georgia - New York, United States 
Member Since: Apr 23, 2008
Last Login: May 12, 2008
Profile Views: 1683
Points: 32
Birthday: Sep 8, 1980
Occupation: Professional Chess Coach and Player
USCF Rating: 2384
FIDE Rating: 2383
About Me:
I was born in Sukhumi, the war ravaged capital of Abkhazia, now independent of Georgia. It was formerly part of the Soviet Union until 1991. I started playing chess at age 6, and spent most of my teen years traveling between international junior events. I came to the U.S. in 2000 and became a citizen in 2003. I continue to play chess at major tournaments here and abroad, and have been teaching chess professionally for six years. I co-founded the Westchester Chess Academy in 2006 to provide children the opportunity to study and enjoy chess at the highest level. On a more personal note, I am happily married, and a new mother with the recent birth of our daughter, Sophie.
My Chess Style / Favorite Openings:
I won my first national tournament at age 9, competing for the Soviet Junior Championship for girls under 12. After that I traveled extensively winning three World Junior Championships: for girls under 14 in 1994, for girls under 16 in 1995, and for girls under 18 in 1997. Unfortunately because of civil war in my native Georgia, I was restricted from playing in a number of major tournaments in these years. I came to America in 2000, but it would be 2003 before I was able to enter USCF events. I won the 2003 Women's Continental Championship, and in 2005, the Women's U.S. Chess Championship. I also played for the 2006 US Woman's Olympic Team, finishing as the team's top scorer in Turin, Italy.