Last Days to Vote for Diary of a Chess Queen for Book of the Year
Hello everybody!
I would appreciate if you could support my book in this event by sending a simple support email before January 31st to bookoftheyear@chesscafe.com, stating that you think my book deserves to win, and give a short reason to sound convincing. Adding your name and city would help to show it's a genuine email and not a robot sending emails :-)
 Thanks to everybody who voted for my book and to those who sent me copies of the email, I am touched by your kind words of support and so happy you liked my book!
Three books have been elected to be the finalists of this prestigious competition:
- Yasser Seirawan's "Chess Duels: My Games with the World Champions" - Daniel Naroditsky "Mastering Positional Chess" - Alexandra Kosteniuk "Diary of a Chess Queen"
LAST HELP NEEDED:
Now I need your help to please vote for it as your favorite chess book (of course if you've read it and like it!), by sending a short email to bookoftheyear@chesscafe.com stating you vote for it and a short reason why (for example great chess games, nice story with lots of photos, emotional account of a chess professional who achieved her goal, etc. it should be your text).
Your email should arrive before the end of January, and the results and winner will be declared on February 2. Even if you've already voted for Round 1 you need to vote again for your vote to count. Just copy and paste your last email, or do a "forward" of your first one, just mentioning it's for the final round.
Here's some more information about my book: "Diary of a Chess Queen" contains my whole life story, with 64 commented games, but also lots of text (I'd say over 1/3 of the book), and over 100 photographs. I worked on it quite a bit since I got the title of women's world chess champion at the end of 2008, it's the work of my life to date.
If you'd like more information about my book, here are some useful links:
- Link to purchase my book on my web shop (free personal autograph!) - Link to purchase my book on Amazon.com
Here are some reviews from Amazon buyers:
Seth: The structural layout of Alexandra's book very much resembles Tal's classic, "The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal." Kosteniuk's book is, like Tal's work, an autobiography. There is much prose (normally at the beginning of each chapter). She starts at her childhood, and takes the reader right up to (and a bit past!) her 2008 World Championship match. Many game fragments are sprinkled throughout each chapter, as well as a substantial number of full-length, annotated games. Alexandra's writing is easily accessible to players of every skill level, whether they be young, old, beginners or masters. I found that she mixed the number of variations and explanations evenly. Since Alexandra typically plays a slashing, aggressive brand of chess, the games are never boring! Also, the translation (sometimes a problem in chess books) made the English read naturally (shout out to the translator, fellow Michigander Jim Marfia!!). She drops various tips and tricks of the Grandmaster trade along the way. The Women's World Champ clearly invested alot of time and effort into writing this book. I wonder if she'll write another some day?
So to sum up, "Diary of a Chess Queen," is a very interesting read, and you probably won't be disappointed if you purchase it.
Cajunmaster: Alexandra Kosteniuk's autobiography should be of great interest to any chess player, male or female, young or old, experienced or not. This candid and well crafted book is, to chess literature, very much like the breeze of fresh air that Alexandra and many other talented women have let into the stuffy atmosphere of the old chess world in the past decade. There is no turning back, luckily, and this book proves it beyond a doubt. Ms. Kosteniuk, who was the 10th woman in history to be recognized as an overall (i.e., unisex) Grandmaster of the game and is the current World Champion among women, has produced a winner. Her book is both highly entertaining and of great technical interest. This cannot be said of many of the innumerable books written by men, whether it be in the 19th century or today. Very simply, Alexandra Kosteniuk, recognized by the United States Chess Federation as the outstanding chess journalist of the year for 2009, should perhaps be considered by many to be a role model worthy of emulation, something that a host young girls throughout the World already know!
Posted by Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk 12th Women's World Chess Champion Author of "Diary of a Chess Queen"
Labels: Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk, chesscafe, Diary of a Chess Queen
Vote for Diary of a Chess Queen in Chesscafe Final!
Hello everybody!
Thanks for your help! Alexandra's book "Diary of a Chess Queen" made it to the final of the ChessCafe Book of the Year Contest, as reported on ChessCafe this morning. Thanks to everybody who voted for my book and to those who sent me copies of the email, I am touched by your kind words of support and so happy you liked my book!
Three books have been elected to be the finalists of this prestigious competition:
- Yasser Seirawan's "Chess Duels: My Games with the World Champions" - Daniel Naroditsky "Mastering Positional Chess" - Alexandra Kosteniuk "Diary of a Chess Queen"
LAST HELP NEEDED:
Now I need your help to please vote for it as your favorite chess book (of course if you've read it and like it!), by sending a short email to bookoftheyear@chesscafe.com stating you vote for it and a short reason why (for example great chess games, nice story with lots of photos, emotional account of a chess professional who achieved her goal, etc. it should be your text).
Your email should arrive before the end of January, and the results and winner will be declared on February 2. Even if you've already voted for Round 1 you need to vote again for your vote to count. Just copy and paste your last email, or do a "forward" of your first one, just mentioning it's for the final round.
Here's some more information about my book: "Diary of a Chess Queen" contains my whole life story, with 64 commented games, but also lots of text (I'd say over 1/3 of the book), and over 100 photographs. I worked on it quite a bit since I got the title of women's world chess champion at the end of 2008, it's the work of my life to date.
If you'd like more information about my book, here are some useful links:
- Link to purchase my book on my web shop (free personal autograph!) - Link to purchase my book on Amazon.com
Here are some reviews from Amazon buyers:
Seth: The structural layout of Alexandra's book very much resembles Tal's classic, "The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal." Kosteniuk's book is, like Tal's work, an autobiography. There is much prose (normally at the beginning of each chapter). She starts at her childhood, and takes the reader right up to (and a bit past!) her 2008 World Championship match. Many game fragments are sprinkled throughout each chapter, as well as a substantial number of full-length, annotated games. Alexandra's writing is easily accessible to players of every skill level, whether they be young, old, beginners or masters. I found that she mixed the number of variations and explanations evenly. Since Alexandra typically plays a slashing, aggressive brand of chess, the games are never boring! Also, the translation (sometimes a problem in chess books) made the English read naturally (shout out to the translator, fellow Michigander Jim Marfia!!). She drops various tips and tricks of the Grandmaster trade along the way. The Women's World Champ clearly invested alot of time and effort into writing this book. I wonder if she'll write another some day?
So to sum up, "Diary of a Chess Queen," is a very interesting read, and you probably won't be disappointed if you purchase it.
Cajunmaster: Alexandra Kosteniuk's autobiography should be of great interest to any chess player, male or female, young or old, experienced or not. This candid and well crafted book is, to chess literature, very much like the breeze of fresh air that Alexandra and many other talented women have let into the stuffy atmosphere of the old chess world in the past decade. There is no turning back, luckily, and this book proves it beyond a doubt. Ms. Kosteniuk, who was the 10th woman in history to be recognized as an overall (i.e., unisex) Grandmaster of the game and is the current World Champion among women, has produced a winner. Her book is both highly entertaining and of great technical interest. This cannot be said of many of the innumerable books written by men, whether it be in the 19th century or today. Very simply, Alexandra Kosteniuk, recognized by the United States Chess Federation as the outstanding chess journalist of the year for 2009, should perhaps be considered by many to be a role model worthy of emulation, something that a host young girls throughout the World already know!
Posted by Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk 12th Women's World Chess Champion Author of "Diary of a Chess Queen"
Labels: Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk, Diary of a Chess Queen
Please Vote for Diary of a Chess Queen for Book of the Year
(Updated January 11, 2011)
NEWS: My book "Diary of a Chess Queen" has been nominated, with your help, to compete in the ChessCafe "Book of the Year" Contest. You can see it in ChessCafe's list of nominated books.
Now I need your help to please vote for it as your favorite chess book (of course if you've read it and like it!), by sending a short email to bookoftheyear@chesscafe.com stating you vote for it and a short reason why (for example great chess games, nice story with lots of photos, emotional account of a chess professional who achieved her goal, etc. it should be your text).
The first 3 will go to the final round, I'll let you know how it goes! See all the links to reviews etc. below.
Thanks and best wishes to all! Alexandra :-)
------------ original post--------- Hello everyone!
Following my post of a couple days ago about the vote for the best Book of the Year 2010, I found out that my book, "Diary of a Chess Queen", which came out officially in the USA during December 2009 and worldwide in January 2010, is eligible to enter the competition!
So if you have read it and like it, please nominate "Diary of a Chess Queen" for ChessCafe Book of the Year! For that all you need to do is email your nomination to bookoftheyear@chesscafe.com and just write that you'd like the book "Diary of a Chess Queen" by Alexandra Kosteniuk to be nominated for a chance to win the Chess Book of the Year 2010. You should give a short reason for nomination, see examples on the Chesscafe Nominations page.
"Diary of a Chess Queen" contains my whole life story, with 64 commented games, but also lots of text (I'd say over 1/3 of the book), and over 100 photographs. I worked on it quite a bit since I got the title of women's world chess champion at the end of 2008, it's the work of my life to date.
If you'd like more information about my book, here are some useful links:
- Link to purchase my book on my web shop (free personal autograph!) - Link to purchase my book on Amazon.com
Here are some reviews from Amazon buyers:
Seth: The structural layout of Alexandra's book very much resembles Tal's classic, "The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal." Kosteniuk's book is, like Tal's work, an autobiography. There is much prose (normally at the beginning of each chapter). She starts at her childhood, and takes the reader right up to (and a bit past!) her 2008 World Championship match. Many game fragments are sprinkled throughout each chapter, as well as a substantial number of full-length, annotated games. Alexandra's writing is easily accessible to players of every skill level, whether they be young, old, beginners or masters. I found that she mixed the number of variations and explanations evenly. Since Alexandra typically plays a slashing, aggressive brand of chess, the games are never boring! Also, the translation (sometimes a problem in chess books) made the English read naturally (shout out to the translator, fellow Michigander Jim Marfia!!). She drops various tips and tricks of the Grandmaster trade along the way. The Women's World Champ clearly invested alot of time and effort into writing this book. I wonder if she'll write another some day?
So to sum up, "Diary of a Chess Queen," is a very interesting read, and you probably won't be disappointed if you purchase it.
Cajunmaster: Alexandra Kosteniuk's autobiography should be of great interest to any chess player, male or female, young or old, experienced or not. This candid and well crafted book is, to chess literature, very much like the breeze of fresh air that Alexandra and many other talented women have let into the stuffy atmosphere of the old chess world in the past decade. There is no turning back, luckily, and this book proves it beyond a doubt. Ms. Kosteniuk, who was the 10th woman in history to be recognized as an overall (i.e., unisex) Grandmaster of the game and is the current World Champion among women, has produced a winner. Her book is both highly entertaining and of great technical interest. This cannot be said of many of the innumerable books written by men, whether it be in the 19th century or today. Very simply, Alexandra Kosteniuk, recognized by the United States Chess Federation as the outstanding chess journalist of the year for 2009, should perhaps be considered by many to be a role model worthy of emulation, something that a host young girls throughout the World already know!
Posted by Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk 12th Women's World Chess Champion Author of "Diary of a Chess Queen" Labels: Diary of a Chess Queen
Help Nominate Diary of a Chess Queen to ChessCafe Book of the Year Contest!
Hello everyone!
Following my post of a couple days ago about the vote for the best Book of the Year 2010, I found out that my book, "Diary of a Chess Queen", which came out officially in the USA during December 2009 and worldwide in January 2010, is eligible to enter the competition!
So if you have read it and like it, please nominate "Diary of a Chess Queen" for ChessCafe Book of the Year! For that all you need to do is email your nomination to bookoftheyear@chesscafe.com and just write that you'd like the book "Diary of a Chess Queen" by Alexandra Kosteniuk to be nominated for a chance to win the Chess Book of the Year 2010. You should give a short reason for nomination, see examples on the Chesscafe Nominations page.
"Diary of a Chess Queen" contains my whole life story, with 64 commented games, but also lots of text (I'd say over 1/3 of the book), and over 100 photographs. I worked on it quite a bit since I got the title of women's world chess champion at the end of 2008, it's the work of my life to date.
If you'd like more information about my book, here are some useful links:
- Link to purchase my book on my web shop (free personal autograph!) - Link to purchase my book on Amazon.com
Here are some reviews from Amazon buyers:
Seth: The structural layout of Alexandra's book very much resembles Tal's classic, "The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal." Kosteniuk's book is, like Tal's work, an autobiography. There is much prose (normally at the beginning of each chapter). She starts at her childhood, and takes the reader right up to (and a bit past!) her 2008 World Championship match. Many game fragments are sprinkled throughout each chapter, as well as a substantial number of full-length, annotated games. Alexandra's writing is easily accessible to players of every skill level, whether they be young, old, beginners or masters. I found that she mixed the number of variations and explanations evenly. Since Alexandra typically plays a slashing, aggressive brand of chess, the games are never boring! Also, the translation (sometimes a problem in chess books) made the English read naturally (shout out to the translator, fellow Michigander Jim Marfia!!). She drops various tips and tricks of the Grandmaster trade along the way. The Women's World Champ clearly invested alot of time and effort into writing this book. I wonder if she'll write another some day?
So to sum up, "Diary of a Chess Queen," is a very interesting read, and you probably won't be disappointed if you purchase it.
Cajunmaster: Alexandra Kosteniuk's autobiography should be of great interest to any chess player, male or female, young or old, experienced or not. This candid and well crafted book is, to chess literature, very much like the breeze of fresh air that Alexandra and many other talented women have let into the stuffy atmosphere of the old chess world in the past decade. There is no turning back, luckily, and this book proves it beyond a doubt. Ms. Kosteniuk, who was the 10th woman in history to be recognized as an overall (i.e., unisex) Grandmaster of the game and is the current World Champion among women, has produced a winner. Her book is both highly entertaining and of great technical interest. This cannot be said of many of the innumerable books written by men, whether it be in the 19th century or today. Very simply, Alexandra Kosteniuk, recognized by the United States Chess Federation as the outstanding chess journalist of the year for 2009, should perhaps be considered by many to be a role model worthy of emulation, something that a host young girls throughout the World already know!
Posted by Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk 12th Women's World Chess Champion Author of "Diary of a Chess Queen"
Labels: Diary of a Chess Queen
Kosteniuk in Atlanta Simul & Seminar
 Full concentration during my Atlanta 48-board simul
Hello everyone!
I was impressed by the high level of the organization, and of the hundreds of chess kids running around the hotel, it was like chess paradise! The tournament took place in the Hyatt, right in the center of town, in walking distance from the World of Coca-Cola Museum (which I visited), and several malls and nice restaurants. There even is a subway that goes from right next to the hotel straight to the airport, that's as convenient as it gets!
I started the event on Friday morning with a 48 board chess simul, which went very well and saw me winning 44 games, losing only to Tim Steiner (congratulations!), and drawing with Lazar Vilotijevic, Dex Webster, and Samuel Bennett, who played very solid games of chess!
Starting my game with Tim Steiner
Dex Webster making his best move
Samuel Bennett kept me fighting till the very end
After the simul ended, at the bookstore, there was a lot of activity. I signed over 1,000 autographs, there was a line for 3 hours straight to come and see me, I had to schedule two more book signings to accommodate more people. Lucky they had over 100 copies of my Diary of a Chess Queen (buy it here to get a free personal autograph), and they only ran out at the very end of the weekend. I'm so happy my book is turning into a chess bestseller. See the reviews posted on Amazon.
A very sweet little girl, photographed by her Dad
The crowd at the bookstore was amazing!
During the tournament, a FIDE Trainers Seminar for Women took place, as was announced earlier.
I gave a talk and answered questions on the last day.
The students learned a lot in 20 intensive hours of instruction, even had an examination at the end of the formal courses.
A nice group picture with all the people who attended.
Posing with the two head coaches of the seminar: Grandmaster Alexander Chernin and Mikhail Khodarkovky
With the Executive Director of the United States Chess Federation (USCF), Bill Hall and the Editor of Chess Life, Dan Lucas
Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: Diary of a Chess Queen, Kosteniuk
Diary of a Chess Queen Signing Coral Gables
Hello my friends!
Finally I'm able to put up a post about my second book signing of Diary of a Chess Queen, at the Books & Books of Coral Gables, Florida.
As the first book signing last week, the hall was pretty full, with lots of people very interested in chess, asking many questions, and wanting to pose for photos with me and my book.
Below you can see Grandmaster Julio Becerra, who helped me train for the Moscow Blitz championship, getting his signed copy of my book.
If you'd like to order your own copy on my web shop, I will gladly give you my free personal autograph.
Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: Becerra, Diary of a Chess Queen
Diary of a Chess Queen First Signing
Hello dear chess book readers!
Many people attended this book signing session and many interesting questions were asked. I was pleasantly surprised to see such interest for chess and for my new book!
Q&A session
With my favorite student Rachel Gologorsky during the book signing in Barnes & Noble
Everything went very well and I'm already looking forward to the second signing session which will take place on January 11, 2010 at 8 PM in Books & Books in Coral Gables. Make sure to mark your calendars and not miss it, I can assure you that you won't regret it!:)
Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: barnes and nobles, Diary of a Chess Queen
Invitation to Miami Diary of a Chess Queen Book Signings
Dear friends of chess,
It is my pleasure to invite you to either or both of my Miami book signings, that will take place on January 7 at 7 PM at the Aventura Barnes & Noble, and on January 11 at 8 PM at the Coral Gables Books & Books.
My book "Diary of a Chess Queen" will be presented to Miami on those occasions, and I will gladly sign autographs for you and for your loved ones.
I will talk about my book, and will take any questions about my career or my games. I will take a chess board with me and if you have some question, you can feel free to ask it then directly to me.
The book contains 64 of my best chess games, commented, but also at least 1/3 of text, which conveys my life story, from being a little 5-year old girl who just learned to play chess, up to my winning the women's world chess championship last year. There are more than 100 photos in the book, and lots of diagrams, that make following the games very easy.
I hope to see you there, and send you my very best wishes for the New Year!
May Love, Happiness and Chess be with you all along 2010!
Posted by ALexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: Diary of a Chess Queen
Diary and DVD in stock December 9
Hello to all!
I am pleased to announce that I have heard from my publisher that I will receive both my new book "Diary of a Chess Queen" and my new DVD "My Best Chess Games" on December 9.
The book "Diary of a Chess Queen" contains my whole life story, with at least 1/3 of the book being the story of how I made it to the top, earning the title of Women's World Chess Champion, from the day my Dad gave me a chess set and taught me the moves, at the age of 5. It contains exerpts from my diary when I was a kid, where I write about my thoughts at the time. The text part of the book reads like a novel. The remaining 2/3 of the book consists of 64 games very well analyzed. You can see the quicktime ad here. The DVD "My Best Chess Games" contains the most important 10 games of my career, from the first win at the age of 10, including my first win against a male Grandmaster, and of course the key games which allowed me to get all my major titles such as Russian Champion, European Champion, and World Champion. The DVD is professionally produced, includes video introductions of each game and analysis of the games which is guaranteed to increase your understanding of chess.
You can pre-order the book and/or DVD at my web store. Add a comment to the order or send me an email and I will gladly write any personal or inspirational message for you or your loved one at the front of the book. It makes for a perfect Holiday gift!
Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: Diary of a Chess Queen, DVD
Dnevniki Presentation Moscow
Hello everybody,
I'm in Moscow today, at at 5 PM local time I will give a Press Conference to present my new book "Diary of a Chess Queen" at the biggest Moscow bookstore on Novy Arbat Street.
 The Russian edition is out (its official title in Russian is «Дневники шахматной королевы») and I'm very happy of how it turned out. It's the story of my whole career from when I started to play chess at 5 years old, till after I became women's world chess champion. Apart from a careful selection of my very best 64 games, commented in detail, I give my inside story about how it is to become a chess professional, and how it is to rise to the top, with all the difficulties that accompanied my path, through triumph and disappointment.
The English edition is being printed right now by Mongoose Press and will hit the shelves on December 1, 2009. You can order both versions right now at www.chessqueen.com, and I will gladly autograph your copy to you or your loved one at no cost to you.
Note that the English edition will be shipped as soon as I get it in stock, in time for Christmas delivery. The Russian edition is available immediately.
Best chess wishes to you! Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: Diary of a Chess Queen
Russian Chess Queen Diary Presentation
 Today, September 9, 2009 the leading Moscow news organization "Argumenty I Fakty" (see wiki page) invited me to a Press Conference to talk about the newly published Russian version of my book "Дневники шахматной королевы" ("Diary of a Chess Queen" in Russian). If you read Russian and would like to buy it, it's available now and on sale on www.chessqueen.com .
During the Press Release and presentation I answered many questions about my book, and many others, such as what is the difference between men's and women's chess, what are my expectations for the Karpov-Kasparov chess match that will take place in Valencia in September, what do I think about doping in chess, will it be possible to see chess in the Olympic Games one day and many more questions. I also gave a 10-board simul and won all games. It was all recorded by TV and I hope to get a copy to share with you later on.
Here are some photos of today's presentation in Moscow:
 I remind you that the English version of my book "DIARY OF A CHESS QUEEN" is available for pre-order now and will be coming out in the USA on December 1, just in time for Christmas! If you order it before it's published you are guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery and also I will sign a free personal autograph for you or for your loved one in the book. When ordering mention the desired text, for example "Merry Christmas to ..." and I will add a note to that too.
Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk Women's World Chess Champion Labels: Diary of a Chess Queen
New Book: Diary of a Chess Queen by Kosteniuk
I'm very glad to announce that my new book "Diary of a Chess Queen" will soon be hitting the shelves.
The English version of the book will be published on December 1, 2009 and available to ship right after that.
The Russian version "Дневники шахматной королевы" will be printed on August 18 and is available to ship in September.
Here is how the Russian version of the "Dairy of a Chess Queen" - will look:
I spent almost 6 months writing this book and hope that readers will like it, as I put all my heart and effort into it to make it my masterpiece with the best material I have ever created. There is much more text than usual, I would say over 1/3 is pure text and the rest are my best 64 chess games from my whole career, commented as best I could. Anatoly Karpov, the 12th world chess champion, wrote the introduction to my book.
Here is a concise review of the book, by the publisher, Mongoose Press:
"Women’s World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk chronicles her rise to the top of the chess world in this introspective autobiographical work. Drawing from personal diaries kept during her youth, Kosteniuk takes the reader from the very dawn of her career as a child star in Russia, through triumph and disappointment, and finally to the pinnacle of success on the black-and-white battlefield. Along the way, we are treated to much more than an inside look into how a grandmaster approaches the royal game: we also learn the unique challenges posed to a young woman pulled at once by the diverging demands of professional chess, the glamour of the modeling lifestyle, and the joys of love and family life.
Part memoir and travelogue, part game collection, Diary of a Chess Queen features a selection of 64 annotated games with a wide range of world-class competitors, including super-GM Sergey Karjakin and former women’s world champions Zhu Chen and Antoaneta Stefanova.
Fashion model, wife and mother, Alexandra Kosteniuk became the European Women’s Chess Champion in 2004 and the Russian Women’s Chess Champion in 2005, then prevailed in the final match for the Women’s World Championship in 2008."
From the first letter to the last word I wrote this book myself and I'm looking forward very much to having this book in my hands!
You can pre-order both the English and Russian versions NOW on www.chessqueen.com . Even with the autograph, we will be able to sell the book below retail price, $22.95 instead of $24.95.
By ordering your copy before it's printed, I will offer a free personal autograph to ev.eryone at no extra cost. Just email me the name of the person you want me to autograph it to and I will do so!
The direct link to buy the English version is here.
Posted by: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Women's World Chess Champion
www.chessblog.com
Labels: chess books, Diary of a Chess Queen, Kosteniuk
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