Vivian Ramón Pita

Pita was born in 1963. She began playing chess at age 12 at Neptune and Industry Academy in Havana City. Chess helped her socialize with others who enjoyed the game.^[4] She studied at Concepción Arenal.

She learned chess from her brother. Without a proper set, she and her brother improvised chess pieces; she recalls using light switches as rooks.

Eventually, an uncle gifted them a proper chess set, and he began teaching her the basics of the game, always maintaining an edge. She became his chess rival, while he protected his title of household champion.

One day, René asarrate, a prominent figure in the local chess community, visited her school. He invited any interested students to attend.

Discovering that the academy was just half a block from her home, she eagerly joined. Competing against two boys, she emerged victorious, catching the attention of the instructors. They promptly enrolled her, marking the beginning of her love for chess.^[3]

Ramón Pita began her professional career and was recognized by FIDE in 1981.^[5]

"It was a fortunate coincidence to discover chess. It started as a game. It captivated me, and in the end, no one could separate us."^[3]

She achieved the title of Woman International Master (WIM) in 1982.^[1]

She became the first Cuban to achieve the title of Women's Grandmaster (WGM) in 1998.^[1]

She won the Cuban Women's Chess Championship seven times, in 1982, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, and 2000.

She represented Cuba in the Women's Chess Olympiads on nine occasions:^[6]

• 1984 (Placed 1st)
• 1986 (1st)
• 1988(3rd)
• 1990 (1st)
• 1996 (2nd)
• 1998 (1st)
• 2000(2nd)
• 2002 (1st)
• 2004 (1st) ^[6]

Ramón Pita is a member of the Chess in Education Commission (EDU) and was recognized as a School Instructor in 2022.^[1]