Vera Menchik's portrait in l'Echiquer

Vera Menchik was the first and longest-reigning Women’s World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1927 to 1944. The portrait of her was printed in l’Echiquer, a high-quality Belgian magazine published from 1925 until February 1939. Born in Moscow in 1906, Menchik dominated women’s chess before World War II, winning eight titles and at least 59 consecutive games in the Women’s World Championship tournaments. She was the first woman to compete in master-level tournaments with the world’s best players.