Elisabeth Bykova (or Elisabeth Bikova or Elisaveta Ivanovna Bykova, Russian: Елизавета Ивановна Быкова; November 4, 1913 in Bogolyubovo, Russia – March 8, 1989 in Moscow) was a Soviet chess player and the third and fifth Women's World Chess Champion, from 1953 until 1956, and again from 1958 to 1962. She defeated the reigning champion Lyudmila Rudenko in a Candidates Tournament in Moscow, winning with seven wins, five losses, and two draws. She lost the title to Olga Rubzowa, but won it back two years later, becoming the first woman to do so. She was also an author and columnist about chess in the USSR.
| Preceded by Lyudmila Rudenko |
Women's World Chess Champion
First Reign |
Succeeded by Olga Rubzowa |
| Preceded by Olga Rubzowa |
Women's World Chess Champion
Second Reign |
Succeeded by Nona Gaprindashvili |
