Yosha Iglesias is a professional chess player who gained prominence after becoming the first transgender Woman International Master (WIM) in chess
She recently won the French national Women’s Championship, marking a remarkable milestone as the second transgender woman to claim a national title.
Who is chess player Yosha Iglesias, first transgender Woman International Master and what is her rating
Just a tweet to thank all the transphobes of this nazi bar.
Your harassment forged the mental strength I needed to win the French Championship despite being seeded #7.
Thanks to you, I am a better player and a better person.
Your littleness became my greatness.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 pic.twitter.com/h9hQVNX2Fg
— Yosha Iglesias (@IglesiasYosha) August 24, 2025
🚨A trans-identified male has been confirmed as a Women's International Chess Master by @FIDE_chess despite their recent ban on males competing in official female-only events.
Yosha Iglesias, 36, achieved the title after participating in a women's tournament in France last week. pic.twitter.com/gVw2wRuf8S
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) May 5, 2024
Yosha Iglesias wins the 2025 French national Women’s Chess Championship
Yosha Iglesias recently made headlines after winning the 2025 French national Women’s Chess Championship. By winning the title, she became just the second transgender woman to claim a national title. Iglesias entered the 16-player knockout event in Vichy, France, and ranked seventh, defeating notable opponents like Woman Grandmaster Mitra Hejazipour in the final with a score of 1.5-0.5. She also managed to defeat WGM Maria Nepeina-Leconte, IM Pauline Guichard, and IM Anastasia Savina on her way to the finals.
Yosha Iglesias biography and age
Yosha Iglesias is a transgender chess Woman international Master who was born on 22 December, 1987 in Paris, France. She is currently 37 years old and originally hails from France. Yosha left her home country as a teenager in search of new opportunities in the chess world and moved to Sochi, Russia, at the age of 16. During her time there, she trained under an International Master and often competed against legendary players, and even got the chance to meet former world champion Boris Spassky.
Education
Yosha Iglesias obtained her formal chess education in Russia, training under high-level coaches, including a seasoned International Master. After returning to France at the age of 18, she transitioned into a chess coaching career and often shared her knowledge and passion with others.
Chess career
Yosha Iglesias who is a transgender woman has had a successful chess career so far, overcoming significant challenges, including societal prejudice and personal battles. Despite the setbacks, she remains highly motivated to continue excelling with support from the global chess community. She has garnered both respect and admiration as a player and an advocate for inclusivity. Yosha gained prominence after attaining the title of Woman International Master back in 2024, becoming the first transgender woman to do so. She most recently won the French national Women’s Championship.
Yosha Iglesias. Born. Dec 22, 1987 (age 37). Place of birth. Paris, France. Federation. France. Profiles. #3787. World Ranking · 2308. Classical · 2220. Rapid
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