Pia Cramling Biography: Husband, Daughter, Age, Net Worth, Height, Chess Titles, Career, Championships

Pia Ann Rosa-Della Cramling also known as Pia Cramling is an esteemed Swedish chess grandmaster, commentator, and one of the most influential female chess players in history.

As the fifth woman to earn the FIDE Grandmaster title, she has inspired generations with her remarkable achievements, including multiple European championships and a consistent presence in international chess competitions for over four decades.

Profile

• Full Name: Pia Ann Rosa-Della Cramling
• Stage Name: Pia Cramling
• Born: April 23, 1963
• Age: 62 years old
• Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
• Nationality: Swedish
• Occupation: Chess Grandmaster, Commentator
• Height: 5 feet 4 inches
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Cramling
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Juan Manuel Bellón López
• Children: Anna Cramling Bellón
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1.5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Pia Cramling was born on April 23, 1963, in Stockholm, Sweden, to parents Mr. and Mrs. Cramling.

Growing up in a nurturing household, Pia attended local schools in Stockholm, but specific details about her formal education are not widely documented, as her focus shifted to chess early on.

She is of Swedish ethnicity and follows the Christian faith.

Career

Pia Cramling began her professional career in the late 1970s, quickly establishing herself as a formidable player.

She earned the International Master (IM) title in 1983 and became the fifth woman to achieve the Grandmaster (GM) title in 1992, with norms from tournaments in Italy (1989), Las Palmas (1990), and Bern (1992).

Her peak FIDE rating of 2550 in October 2008 remains a career highlight, and she was the world’s top-rated female player in January 1983, January 1984, and July 1984.

Pia competed in the Women’s World Championship cycles, reaching the Candidates’ fourth place in 1986 and third in 1996, and the semifinals in 2008 and 2015.

She won the Women’s European Individual Chess Championship in 2003 and 2010, scoring 8.5/11 and 9/11, respectively.

Her Olympiad record is exceptional, with individual gold medals on board one in 1984, 1988, and 2022, and a total of 57 wins against only three losses across seven Women’s Chess Olympiads.

Pia also played for Sweden’s open team in four Olympiads (1990–2000), a rare feat for a female player.

She won team gold medals with Cercle d’Echecs Monte Carlo in the European Club Cup for Women in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2016.

Notable victories include defeating Grandmasters Viktor Korchnoi (1984), Boris Spassky, and Vasily Smyslov.

In recent years, she has transitioned to commentary, contributing to Chess and chess24, and remains active in tournaments, with recent performances at the 2024 Olympiad and the 2025 Pia Cramling International Invitational.

Awards and Nominations

• 1983: Nominated for the Women’s Chess Oscar, the first Western player to receive this honor.
• 2003 & 2010: Won the Women’s European Individual Chess Championship.
• 2006: Won the Accentus Ladies Tournament in Biel.
• 1984, 1988, 2022: Individual gold medal for best performance on board one at the Women’s Chess Olympiad.
• 2017: Named “Outstanding Athlete of the City” in Bátaszék, Hungary, during its 875th anniversary celebration.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @piacramling
• Facebook Handle: Pia Cramling
• Twitter Handle: @PiaCramling

Personal Life

Pia Cramling, 62, is married to Spanish Grandmaster Juan Manuel Bellón López.

The couple met in Zürich in 1984, married in 1988, and lived in Spain before returning to Sweden.

Their daughter, Anna Cramling Bellón, born in 2002, is a Woman FIDE Master and a popular chess YouTuber and Twitch streamer.

Pia and Anna played together for Sweden at the 2016 and 2020 Chess Olympiads, with Pia as team captain.

Pia resides in Sweden, enjoys mentoring young players, and maintains a private yet approachable persona.

Her long-standing friendship with Judit Polgár has been a significant influence, and she continues to compete and commentate with passion.

Net Worth

Pia Cramling has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million USD.

Her income is derived from tournament winnings, estimated at $51,356 from events like the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2023 ($7,000) and FIDE Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship 2017 ($10,000), as well as commentary roles with Chess and chess24.