Dana Reizniece

Dana Reizniece is a Latvian Woman Grandmaster and one of the most influential figures in modern chess leadership.

She first made her mark as a player, winning the European Championship for young women twice and representing Latvia at the Chess Olympiad from a young age. A four-time Latvian national champion, she has competed at the highest level for decades, achieving strong results against some of the world’s leading players – including a notable victory over former world champion Hou Yifan.

Alongside her chess career, Reizniece has built an exceptional path in public service and international leadership. She has served as Latvia’s Minister of Economics and Minister of Finance, as well as a Member of Parliament across multiple terms, working on education, legal affairs, and European cooperation.

Since 2022, she has been Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, where she plays a central role in developing chess globally. Her work focuses on key areas such as chess in education, inclusion, and the continued growth of women’s participation in the game.

At ChessParty, Dana Reizniece will give a talk on leadership and chess, exploring how principles from the game can be applied to decision-making, strategy, and leadership in real-world contexts.

Drawing on her unique experience from both elite chess and high-level politics, she offers a perspective that bridges competition, governance, and long-term thinking.

Whether you are interested in leadership, strategy, or the broader impact of chess, this is a session that brings the game into a completely different arena.