Pourkashiyan Awarded GM Title

I believe that's a WGM title - quite a difference, but still an achievement for Pourkashiyan. Congratulations! Iran's Pourkashiyan awarded GM title Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:11:25 GMT Iran's Woman International Master Atousa Pourkashiyan has been awarded the Grandmaster title at the 38th Chess Olympiad in Germany. The Iranian national earned the title after she gained eight points in 11 games at the end of the Chess Olympiad in Dresden (Germany), IRIB quoted Iran's Chess Federation on Thursday. Pourkashiyan won seven games and drew two others after competing with four grandmasters and five international masters during the event. In the second round, the Iranian chess master drew with Ukrainian Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Kateryna Lahno but managed to defeat all of her opponents in the next five games. The world chess organization FIDE awards the title Grandmaster to exceptionally qualified chess masters. Apart from 'World Champion', Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain. Once achieved, the title is held for life. One hundred fifty-four countries took part in the 38th Chess Olympiad in Dresden, on November 12-25. HRF/JG/MMN