Alexandra Kosteniuk just published the 32nd episode of her popular chess audio podcast “Chess is Cool”. It’s a 16 minute MP3 file in which she talks about how she won at the recent Women’s World Championship in Nalchik. Alexandra became the 12th women world champion in history. You can listen to it by clicking here or by susbcribing for free on iTunes.

The Underwire from Wired.com is running a contest to find the sexiest geek of the year 2008, and women’s chess world champion Alexandra has been nominated as one of the contestants. Voting is taking place right now. Would it not be cool if Alexandra turned out as one on the top on the list? That would show how cool chess is. We like to define a geek as someone who has chosen concentration rather than conformity, one who passionately pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance. Or a person with a devotion to something in a way that places him or her outside the mainsteam. Chess may be somewhat geeky, but nevertheless we think it’s the coolest game of all. Do you agree? You can read another article about this on Examiner.com and another one here
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FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhnov offered women’s world chess champion Alexandra Kosteniuk a national costume of the Republic of Kalmykia, and we have an exclusive web photo album for you to enjoy.



As a holiday gift to you, Alexandra will send free autographed world champion postcards to anybody who requests one by email to Alexandra. Don’t forget to write your postal mailing address as it will be a real postcard not an email postcard. Happy Holidays!

Alexandra was the guest of honor in Elista, Kalmykia, Russia, just before the start of the Elista 2008 Grand Prix event. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov offered to Alexandra a beautiful horse as a gift for winning the 2008 Women’s World Chess Championship. Alexandra also gave two simuls and a chess class to students. She was welcomed to the school of Iki-Chonos where high officials accepted her in the ranks of the “Big Wolves”. With her sister Oxana she was invited to the city’s Buddist temple. Pufichek’s 477 photos are ready for you to enjoy.

Alexandra was the guest of honor at the 1st Korea Open Chess Championship, in Seoul, South Korea. You see her pictured here with the Chairman of the Korea Chess Federation Hyun In-Suk. Alexandra gave a 40-board simul on the last day of the event, you can see a 209-photo album by Pufichek by clicking here.

On the 29th and 30th of November took place the 2nd Cup Alexandra Kosteniuk in Moscow, for kids U-6 and U-8, organized by Alexandra’s Moscow chess school, Azbukachess. It took place in the beautiful Central Moscow Chess Club, and attracted 84 participants. You can watch photos of the event by clicking here.