Career
Along with elder sister Nadezhda, the six-year-old Tatiana became a chess player by virtue of a twist of fate. As a youngster, she recalls being inspired by a book of former World Champion Alexander Alekhine"s games and was similarly impressed by the games of Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer. Soon after, she became a fearsome competitor at the top level of junior chess, her collection of tournament prizes rivalling even her sister"s haul.
At the World Youth Chess Championship, she earned silver medals at the Under-10 (Cala Galdana, 1996) and Under-12 (Cannes, 1997) events.
In the Under-10 category of the 1996 European Youth Chess Championship held at Rimavska Sobota she went one better, that time taking home the gold medal. Silver medals were added at the Euro events in Mureck (1998) and Kallithea (2000), at Under-12 and Under-18 levels, respectively.
Sharing a mutual talent for chess, the sisters are also close companions outside the game. Both attend a law course at Pomor University in their hometown and study together.
Inevitably, they play side by side in team competitions, most notably at the Chess Olympiad as part of the Russian Women"s national team
She gained 160 Grand Prix points in Nalchik.