Women's World Chess Championship 1953


The 1953 Women's World Chess Championship was the first to feature a Candidates Tournament that produced a challenger for the reigning champion, much like the system used for the open championship title.
The first Candidates Tournament was won by Elisabeth Bykova, who went on to beat Lyudmila Rudenko and become the third Women's World Champion.

1952 Candidates Tournament

The Candidates Tournament was held in Moscow in October and November 1952, with Bykova eventually emerging the winner.

1953 Championship Match

The championship match was played in Moscow in 1953. Bykova won three of the last four games and thus the title.