IM Irina Bulmaga is a Chessable Author, a writer, a  5 time chess Olimpian, and the highest rated woman player in Romania, where she now lives. Before emigrating from Moldova, Irina was the 2 time National Woman’s champion in her native country. But as Irina will tell you, she probably spends more time traveling for competitive chess than she spends in any one country.  In fact, she thinks she might be the most active chess professional on the European circuit. Irina joined me on a brief break between tournaments to recap some 2022 tournament successes. We also discussed her upcoming plans for the Olympiad and her lifelong goal of chasing the  Grandmaster title. This was a fun conversation filled with personal reflection, tournament recommendations and chess study tips and plans. Please read on for more details, links, and timestamps. 

01:00- 

Irina reflects on her recent tournament performances. 

Mentioned: Irina’s Chessbase Tournament Report 

07:00- Why does Irina think she prefers playing in open tournaments rather than women’s tournaments? 

Mentioned: Irina’s Blog

12:00- How has getting a coach for the first time ever helped Irina’s game? What books has she read? 

Mentioned: Think Like a Super GM, Seven Deadly Chess Sins, Improve Your Chess Calculation  

GM Lubomir Ftacnik 

19:00- As a 5 time Olimpiad member, How is the tournament different from others? 

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29:00- Does Irina enjoy the life of an itinerant chess professional? 

33:00-In Irina’s opinion, how could professional chess be improved? 

35:00- What big open tournaments would Irina recommend for chess amateurs?

Mentioned: Isle of Man (Chess.com International), Gibraltar International Chess Festival, Sunway Sitges Chess Festival 

38:00- What is Irina’s favorite tournament of any type? 

European Men’s Championship 

41:00- Does Irina think sexism is worse in chess than in other walks of life? 

45:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. You can find IM Andras Toth’s new course, IM Irina Bulmaga’s, as well as so many others here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/

53:00- What tournaments does Irina have planned in addition to the Olimpiad? How was the experience of playing competitive chess in Cuba? 

Mentioned: European Women’s Championship 

58:00- How many languages does Irina speak? 

1:00- Does Irina still hope to chase the GM title? 

1:03:00- Thanks so much to Irina for joining me! Here is how to keep up with her:

Chessable course:

https://www.chessable.com/the-smyslov-ruy-lopez-3g6/course/114883/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/irinabulmaga?lang=en

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/iribulmaga/?hl=en

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