| Like a knife through butter
02.12.2001 She was born in the Russian city of Perm on April 23, 1984, became a WGM in 1998 and an men's IM in 2000. Alexandra Kosteniuk also writes poems and likes all kinds of sports. She's also into glamour photography. At the FIDE world championship she has gone through the women's section like a knife through butter, conceding only a single draw so far. You will find a report on this remarkable young lady here...
Alexandra
Kosteniuk
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She was born
in the Russian city of Perm on April 23, 1984, became a WGM in 1998
and an men's IM in 2000. Since 1985 she has been living in Moscow,
currently studying at the Russian State Academy of Physical Education,
to become a certified professional chess trainer upon graduation.
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Alexandra learnt chess from
her dad, Konstantin Vladimirovich Kosteniuk, who taught her how to play
when she was five. He worked with her daily for several hours at a time.
"My dad sacrificed many things in life for me. He abandoned a very
promising and lucrative career of an army officer just so that he could
continue helping me with my chess and accompanying me to tournaments,"
she says.
Alexandra became European champion
among girls under the age of 10 in 1994, and a month later shared first
and second places at the World Championship in that same category. At
the age of 13 years and 10 months she became a WGM and received the title
at the 33rd World Olympiad in Elista, Kalmykiya.
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She writes poems
and likes all kinds of sports. After graduation in Moscow she wants
to study at one of the best universities in the world. "Studying
is something I really love doing, and I just hope to have enough
money for tuition."
Alexandra's
current rating (July 1, 2001) is 2440, making her one of the 30
strongest female players in the world. As a chess trainer she recognises
the possibilities the Internet provides. "It's now possible
to play and take lessons from any place of the world. The concept
of physical distance doesn't exist in the online world, and that
is so cool!"
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At the current time (December
2, 2001) this young lady has gone through the women's section of the FIDE
world championship easily, conceding only a single draw. In round three
she defeated world championship contender Alisa Galliamova 2-0.
Oh yes, and you will probably want to visit her glamour
gallery as well
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