Vera Menchik (Russian: Вера Францевна Менчик, Vera Frantsevna Menchik; Czech: Věra Menčíková; 16 February 1906 – 26 June 1944) was a Russian-born British-Czechoslovak chess player who became the first women's world chess champion. She also competed in tournaments with some of the world's leading male chess masters, with occasional successes including two wins over future world champion Max Euwe.
== Early life ==
Her father, František Menčík, was born in Bystrá nad Jizerou, Bohemia, while her mother, Olga (née Illingworth; c. 1885–1944), was English. He was the manager of several estates owned...