Vivian Ramón Pita
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar and style. (May 2024) |
Vivian Ramón Pita (born 1963)[1] is a Cuban Women's Chess Grandmaster.
She was the first Cuban to reach the category of International Female Grandmaster in 1998.[1][3]
Early life
[edit]Ramón Pita was born in 1963. She began playing chess at the age of 12 at the Neptune and Industry Academy in the municipality of Havana City. Although she was a very introverted girl, chess helped her socialize with others who also enjoyed the game.[4]
One day, her brother approached her, mentioning a game called chess. Without a proper set, they improvised the pieces; she recalls using light switches as rooks. She originally learned the game from her brother.
Eventually, an uncle gifted them a proper chess set, and he began teaching her the basics of the game, always maintaining an edge for himself. She essentially became his chess rival, while he retained the title of household champion.
One day, a teacher named René Basarrate, a prominent figure in the local chess community, visited her school, Concepción Arenal, to promote the chess academy. He invited any interested students to attend.
Discovering that the academy was just half a block from her home, she eagerly joined. Competing against two boys, she emerged victorious, catching the attention of the instructors. They promptly enrolled her, marking the beginning of her love for chess.[3]
Chess Career /Chess records
[edit]Ramón Pita began her professional career and was recognized by FIDE in 1981.[5]
"It was a fortunate coincidence to discover chess. It started as a game. It captivated me, and in the end, no one could separate us."[3]
She achieved the title of Woman International Master (WIM) in 1982.[1]
She became the first Cuban to achieve the title of Women's Grandmaster (WGM) in 1998.[1]
She won the Cuban Women's Chess Championship seven times, in the years 1982, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, and 2000.
She represented Cuba in the Women's Chess Olympiads on nine occasions:[6]
- 1984 (Placed 1st)
- 1986 (Placed 1st)
- 1988(Placed 3rd)
- 1990 (Placed 1st)
- 1996 (Placed 2nd)
- 1998 (Placed 1st)
- 2000(Placed 2nd)
- 2002 (Placed 1st)
- 2004 (Placed 1st) [6]
Ramón Pita is a member of the Chess in Education Commission (EDU) and was recognized as a School Instructor in 2022.[1]
Elo rating
[edit]Her first recorded Elo rating was in January 1981, with a rating of 1865. Her peak Elo rating was achieved in January 1997, reaching 2365. As of April 2024, her Elo rating is 2055.[5]
Personal life/Other activities
[edit]Ramón Pita continues to collaborate with chess as a member of the Cuban Chess Federation.[1]
Along with being a professor at the Latin American Chess Institute (located at UCCFD), she also helps teach at the University of Physical Culture Manuel Fajardo (UCCFD).[7] She is actively involved in promoting the game in Cuba while remaining in the competitive elite.
Ramón Pita has also written books, including Capablanca: Pact with Immortality,[8] which provides commentary on the impact that the famous chess player José Raúl Capablanca had on Cuba and how he contributed to the increased popularity of the game of chess.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Ramon Pita, Vivian". ratings.fide.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Cabrera, Boris Luis (2023-03-26). "Vivian Ramón: "Dos tigres no caben en la misma jaula, pero en las olimpiadas había tregua"". Play-Off Magazine (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b c Rodríguez Martínez, Daniel (2020-08-03). "Vivian Ramón: Quien juega, nunca envejece (+Fotos) • Trabajadores". Trabajadores (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Play Off TV 📺 cap 77 Entrevista a Vivian Ramón Pita #cuba #ajedrez #deportistascuba (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-26 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ a b "Vivian Ramon Pita player profile". ChessBase Players. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b "OlimpBase :: Women's Chess Olympiads :: Vivian Ramón Pita". www.olimpbase.org. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "Vivian Ramón Pita". Universidad de Ciencias de la Cultura Física y el Deporte (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Ramón, Vivian. CAPABLANCA. PACTO CON LA INMORTALIDAD (in Spanish). Cuba: CITMATEL. ISBN 978-959-237-912-1.