Women's World Champion · 2015-2016 · 🇺🇦
Mariya Muzychuk
The Ukrainian champion who won the 2015 knockout title and then lost it to Hou Yifan in a direct match. Her brief reign was sandwiched between two dominant Chinese champions.
1992
Born (Lviv)
1 year
As champion
6-3
Lost to Hou Yifan
GM
Title earned
The Knockout Champion
Mariya Muzychuk was born on September 21, 1992, in Lviv, Ukraine. She won the 2015 Women's World Championship in Sochi, Russia, in a knockout tournament. The format, which eliminates players in short matches, creates upsets, and Muzychuk navigated it with skill and composure. However, when Hou Yifan challenged her in a direct match in Lviv in 2016, the gap in class was apparent. Hou won 6-3, and Muzychuk's reign ended after just one year. She remains one of the top women players in the world.