Almira Skripchenko, who was born on 17 February 1976, in Chisinau, Moldova, but now lives in Paris, is a FIDE International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She learnt chess at the age of six from her Ukranian father Feodor and her Armenian mother Naira Agababian, both pedagogues and chess coaches.
In 1992 Almira became the world Under-16 champion and in 1993 took the bronze in the Under-18 group. In 2001, at 25, she celebrated her biggest success ever, winning the individual ladies European championship. She was chosen "best sports-person in 2001 in Moldova" and decorated with the Order of National Merit in her native country. Almira has taken part in several Chess Olympiads (with Moldova, then with France), each time playing on her team's top board. She is also a seven-time national Women's Champion in France, where she now lives.
This picture, which has gone viral on the Internet, was taken by me (with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel on February 14, 2004 at 10:02:59, shutter speed 1/60 sec, F 4.50, bounce flash – and not by "Velho", as is brazenly claimed in Wikimedia Commons).
Almira has also played in major poker tournaments. In 2009, she finished seventh in a World Series of Poker No Limit Texas hold 'em tournament, winning $78,664. In 2011 she won $50,000 when she finished second in the World Poker Tour celebrity invitational tournament. In total her live poker tournament winnings exceed $250,000.
Almira is a dear friend and always a welcome visitor in Hamburg. She has written a number of reports for our news page and has herself been the subject of countless more.
Almira in the Friedel household, not too pleased by my incessant picture taking
There is a secret that must at last be revealed here: when Almira stays with us, she is completely informal, obviously feeling at home in our household. Occasionally, the following conversation will occur:
Frederic: Okay, we have to get ready. We are going to the ChessBase office.
Almira: Today? Why?
Fred: The video recording. You know we are doing that.
Almira: Right. So? You want me "beautiful"?
Fred: Yes, that would be great.
Almira disappears into her room for half an hour. Then a subtle whiff of French perfume descends down the staircase, followed by the movie star with the flowing blond hair – just stunning.
Fred: Wow, that's great!
Almiar: Yes, yes, let's go...
The soccer model
Some years ago, we had a contest at ChessBase: the staff had to guess who would win the European soccer championship. The winner who guessed most of the places right was Jeroen van den Belt, who in normal life looks after the 3D graphics of Fritz, the online database, the Chess Media System and other cutting edge functions. The prize Jeroen won was a one-hour lesson from Almira.
The lady Jeroen got his chess lesson from played for Werder Bremen, where the chess department is part of the club that has one of the strongest national soccer teams. Almira has become the spokesperson of the club, the soccer model whose picture is on posters all over the city.
This is Jeroen getting instructions from one of the world's leading women players, while fellow programmer Mathias Feist looks on in envy
And what about posters for the soccer club? The ones that you see all over Bremen? Due to our very special relations with the Bremen sports club (actually to Almira) we were able to obtain not just the original shot of the poster but plenty of out-takes.
