On This Day in Chess History: June 26, 1944

On June 26, 1944, Vera Menchik died in a London air raid. A Russian-born British Czechoslovak, Menchik became the first women's world chess champion in 1927, a title she would retain that title until her death. Born in Moscow to Frantisek Menchik, a manager of several noble estates in Russia, and Olga (nee Illingworth), a governess to the children of the estate owner on February 16, 1906, Vera woul

d reside in England for much of her life. Vera was gifted her first chess set by her father at the age of 9. After her parents' marriage broke down following financial difficulties associated with the Russian Revolution, Olga brought Vera and her sister, Olga, back to Hastings, England. Vera's inability to speak English did not stop her from eventually joining the Hastings Chess Club. 1927 saw Vera win the first ever Women's World Championship. Menchik successfully defended her title 6 times, winning 78 games, drawing 4 and only losing 1. Vera faced significant ridicule from her male opponents when playing in open tournaments. After entering the Carlsbad 1929 chess tournament, master Albert Becker proposed that any player whom she defeated should become a member of the "Vera Menchik Club". Eating his words, Becker would become the first member of the club. The club

DRAFTJS_BLOCK_KEY:auho8On June 26, 1944, Vera Menchik died in a London air raid. A Russian-born British Czechoslovak, Menchik became the first women's world chess champion in 1927, a title she would retain that title until her death. Born in Moscow to Frantisek Menchik, a manager of several noble estates in Russia, and Olga (nee Illingworth), a governess to the children of the estate owner on February 16, 1906, Vera woul

would eventually include eventual World Champion Max Euwe and at least 4 British champions, including Harry Golombek, Sir George Alan Thomas, William Winter, and Frederick Yates. The world of women's chess would mourn her loss after Vera, her sister and her mother were killed in a V-1 flying bomb attack which destroyed their home in South London in

1944.