Alexandra Kosteniuk is a world champion chess player and a Russian fashion model. She won the Women's World Chess Championship 2008 on September 17, 2008 in Russia. She was crowned Queen of Chess. Kosteniuk started modeling to increase public interest in chess.newKerala.com: ...model wins...Chess Championship (September 19, 2008)

"Modeling is not a job. It is just a hobby, like reading books."Mail Online: ...Russian model... new Queen of Chess (September 18, 2008)

"I want people to see there is a fun side to chess. It can be made as exciting as soccer or tennis. Things are changing. I am clever, so I can play chess; and I am not so ugly, so I can model."Mail Online: ...Russian mode...new Queen of Chess (September 18, 2008)