The Empress of Chess

Frequently, chess players find themselves in conversations about the greatest players of all time. Who was stronger, between Magnus Carlsen and Bobby Fischer? Whose influence was strongest between Garry Kasparov and Vishy Anand? We tear at each other and attempt to dismantle the achievements of these men who have reached the heights of human chess. And yet, we don't have nearly as many conversations about the greatest women of chess.

If you're getting worried about where this is going, don't worry. Today, I don't plan to make any claims about women's chess and how it compares to men's. That's a tired fight (and one best left to women far more knowledgeable about it than I). No instead I'd like to delve into a bit of history. The history of a woman so dominating in women's chess, and so competitive against men, that she may well deserve to be called, the GOAT of women's chess.

A Rich Childhood Turned Sour

16 February 1906 was the day that a champion was born. Vera Francevna Mencikova (will henceforth be using Menchik) was the daughter of the humble Olga Illingworth and František Menčík (will henceforth be using Menchik). She was also the older sister of another strong chess player (but far less prominent), Olga Menchik. I could not find a lot of interesting information about Vera's family, besides the fact that her mother was a governess of a noble family and her father a manager of the estates of some nobles (I would presume the same nobles, but it won't make that claim in case it's inaccurate). Also, very important to her life, Vera's father owned a mill. So, they were a rather affluent family. Upper middleclass, if I had to make a guess... in the early 20th century.

It may come as no surprise to those who know their history, but the significance of František's mill lied in the time period in which he owned it. Unfortunately for the Menchik family, the era they lived in was destined to become one of the hardest that Russians would live through. Yes, this was the Russian Revolution. In 1917 (at 11 years of age) Vera's family was required to share the extra space in their flat with their impoverished neighbors from the floors below. With no disrespect intended to the aforementioned impoverished, I find myself imagining a can of sardines when thinking about how that would have worked. The mill of course was also seized, and Vera moved from an esteemed private school to a public school. However, that last change wasn't necessarily as bad as the others.

Learning Chess

Vera was first taught chess by her father at 9 years old. No information was found about if she had displayed any talent at the time. However, given the sudden change that would befall all of Russia not too long after, I'm glad to get what we have.

As we learned previously, Vera had been moved to a public school. Luckily for us, the students at the school started a chess club. Vera would join this club and participate in her first chess tournament. This tournament wasn't completed, but apparently, she would've placed at least third. A good rank if we also consider that she was the only girl participating among the students and teachers that played. Although she does not think much of what the experience taught her about the game, Vera would suggest that the first spark of passion came from this school competition. And it was rather timely. This would be the only tournament she had the opportunity to play at her school, because not too long later, Menchik would move with her mother and sister to Hastings. Here she would reach the next checkpoint of her chess career. 

I'd add a USSR school uniform picture here, but I'm already risking a lot by showing anything even remotely communist in the previous picture (even though I don't support it). Also, the pics I found for 'russian revolution school uniform' seem very suspicious.

When arriving in England, Vera could not speak English. For this reason, she would focus more on chess, describing her mindset like this:

I have often been asked why I began to play chess seriously. It seems that an atmosphere of blank silence and dense puffs of smoke is not considered appropriate for a young lady. [removed] but chess is a silent game and an excellent pastime for a person who does not speak the language well.

I've removed a small portion because it is slightly irrelevant. 

So, it is clear that a part of the reason why she invested much of her time into chess, was to minimize the chances of ostracization and embarrassment from not speaking the local language. A sad sense of alienation from a young girl on foreign land. However, in spite of her antisocial behavior, Vera would end up making connections. Especially among the chess players of Hastings Chess Club (she had not yet joined, but it seems everyone was welcoming toward her).

Menchik would come to learn many of chess's mysteries from Hastings Club members. She would describe learning from players such as James Drewitt as when she "began to understand the secrets of the closed openings."

Eventually, she would join the club, not too late to come under the wing of Hungarian Master Géza Maróczy. Vera would learn under the great for likely less than a year, before continuing to learn from Drewitt. However, she would sing high praises for Maróczy, even crediting him with inspiring her to dominate at a higher level (heavy paraphrasing here). 

To Tell Quick, The Dominating of The Board

Finally, we can look at the part that we've all become familiar with. A terrifying reign that few could match up to. One that was never officially ended on the board, but by a tragedy completely separate from chess.

1923-27

Not long after joining Hastings, Vera would participate in their tournaments. She would apparently participate in Sexton Cup inter-club competition, but I struggled to find any games to show you. In fact, I could not find any of her games from 1923, so if you do, let me know. Complaints aside, I did eventually find some games that she played in 1924, so let's take a look at one of those.

This game would be her only loss in the 1924/25 Hastings Christmas Congress.  She would play this game on the 1st of January 1925, placing 2nd in her section. She would improve immensely over the years, using her opponents as grinding stones to sharpen her prowess. Of some special note would be the rivalry that Vera would come to develop a rivalry with Edith Price. They apparently regularly competed to see who the better player was. Menchik would ultimately prove herself superior with an interesting story that I suggest you read if you have time. 

Vera would go on to play in more tournaments tearing through many of the competition. It wasn't unfair to say that she was, after besting Price, the strongest woman in London chess. In particular, Vera would put up a showstopping performance in July 1927. With a 10.5/11 score (no losses), Vera would find the crown of the first Women's World Champion placed snuggly on her head.

So, there we have it. A part of the history of Vera Menchik. You'll notice that I didn't really delve into her actual games. I got engrossed in the story. I might finish this with a part two if I ever get the motivation for it (going into her champion life and sad death). Maybe if I do, I can use her actual picture for the thumbnail. Honestly, it's been too long since I've written one of these. Don't stop let that stop you from tearing my writing apart. I should be able to take what I give. In particular tell me what you think about the thumbnail. I wanted to try something different. I think it looks good but needs something on the sides.