Mona Karf American chess player, international master among women (1950). Date of Birth: 20.10.1914 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Chess Beginnings
2. International Success
3. American Dominance
4. The "Airplane Checkmate"
5. Financial Success and Philanthropy
6. FIDE International Master

Early Life and Chess Beginnings

Mona May Karff was born in Bessarabia in 1914 and moved with her family to British Mandate Palestine in the 1920s. Her father, Aviv Ratner, became one of the wealthiest landowners in the country. Karff began playing chess at age 9 under her father's guidance.

International Success

In 1937, she represented Palestine at the Women's World Championship in Stockholm, finishing 6th. The following year, she settled in Boston, married, and played for the United States at the 1939 Women's World Championship in Buenos Aires, where she placed 5th.

American Dominance

From 1938 to 1974, Karff won the United States Women's Championship an unprecedented seven times (1938, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1948, 1953, and 1974, the last time at age 60). She also won the U.S. Open Championship four times in a row.

The "Airplane Checkmate"

At the 1937 Berlin Chess Tournament, Karff famously checkmated O. Lugatsch in just ten moves. This game, published in the December 1937 issue of Chess Review, became known as the "airplane checkmate" for its short duration and decisive outcome.

Financial Success and Philanthropy

In addition to her chess achievements, Karff became wealthy through stock market investments. She was also a philanthropist, supporting scientific research at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot through The Mona May Karff Research Fund.

FIDE International Master

Upon the founding of FIDE in 1950, Karff became one of four American women to receive the title of International Master for Women. She later became known as Mona May Karff and settled in New York City.