Mariya Zakharchenko began playing go in 2005, at the age of 9. She began to studying game in a Kyiv go club where she was coached by Yuri Plusch (5-dan). During a few years Mariya also participated in numerous Ukrainian, European and international amateur competitions.
By 2008 Zakharchenko had reached the rank of 4-dan and was subsequently invited by Mr Poong Jho Chun (9P) to study at a South Korean insei school for women, becoming a grade five insei by the end of the year.[1]
In 2009, Zakharchenko was promoted to a grade three insei after winning a series of games in promotional tournaments.[2] In 2011, Zakharchenko ranked among the top 12 female players in South Korea[3] In 2012, Zakharchenko reached the level of first-grade insei and was subsequently promoted to 1-dan professional by Hanguk Kiwon.[4]
Mariya Zakharchenko went on to win 3 games out of her first 44 professional matches including:
