Candid chess chat and kisses from pretty champ Pogonina

Chess News and Chess Trivia Blog (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2010

Natalia Pogonina

Find more great photos of this chess star here.

Hello Everyone,

Before we write anything about this Russian super-strong and pretty chess player let us clarify to all fans that she is married. Sorry. You're too late.

And, now you can go on and read her interview.

WGM Natalia Andreevna Pogonina, 25 years old, a resident of Saratov in Russia was on Board 1 for Russia 2 at the recent Chess Olympiad in Khanty Mansisyk. A law student, she knows her mind and can speak well on any subject.

You will love reading this nice interview she gave to Radio Xadrez in Portuguese. You can read it in English at Chessbase.

Q. Radio Xadrez: – First of all, we’d like to know: have you always played chess exclusively or are you interested in any other sports? Looking through the pretty pictures on your website, we have a feeling that you could be a beautiful ice skater or an Olympic gymnast in Russia. Has it always been only chess?

Natalia Pogonina: I am an avid sports fan and enjoy watching almost all types of sport broadcasts. Also love playing football, basketball, volleyball, skating and dancing.

Q. Radio Xadrez: – We’ve always heard in America that millions of children play chess in Russia. That leads us to think of babies who are born holding chess pieces, chess clocks and have autographs of Mikhail Tal or Alexander Alekhine on their onesies. Have you played since you were a little girl or did it take a while for you to find out about the game?

Natalia Pogonina: As most grandmasters, I have learnt how to play chess at a relatively early age – at five. Since I was 12 (after winning the Russian Championship) for the first time I started considering myself a chess semi-pro, and decided to become a chess professional a few years later.

She also talks about how though being a chess mom she won't pressurize her son into taking up chess. Sensible that.

Go on read the full interview. Enjoy.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

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Also see her personal chess blog at

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