Women's World Champion #10
2004–2006
Bulgaria
Antoaneta Stefanova
The only Bulgarian, and one of very few Europeans from outside the former Soviet Union, ever to hold the Women's World Championship.
Photo: Krzysztof Szeląg · CC BY-SA 4.0
Biography
Born in 1979, Stefanova won the 2004 knockout Women's World Championship held in Elista, Russia, defending the title once before losing it to Xu Yuhua in 2006.
Playing Style
A versatile, well-rounded competitor equally comfortable in classical and faster time controls.
Notable Games
2004 Women's World Championship
Her knockout tournament win that made her the first (and so far only) Bulgarian Women's World Champion.
Fun Facts
- She remains one of relatively few Women's World Champions from outside the former Soviet Union or China in the title's entire history.