Martha Fierro

Nueve veces Campeona Nacional de Paraguay. 🏆 No es una cifra, es un legado. Cuando una autora como la WIM Gabriela Vargas decide abrir su libreta de preparación personal, hay que prestarle atención. El "Ataque Torre" no es solo una apertura; es su método de éxito. 🧵

In my previous post, I shared my story and what shaped me as a person. That experience directly affects how I make decisions and how I build my business. Today, I work across more than 70 countries. Over the years, I’ve lived and worked in places like Germany, Switzerland, the UAE, the USA, and Singapore. It changes the way you see the world. You stop thinking in terms of one country and start looking at people, opportunities, and responsibility. My career started in 2009 at @thyssenkrupp in Germany. From the beginning, I worked in international logistics, including projects connected to Ukraine and Russia. For many years, both were part of my work. We built partnerships, worked with international clients, and developed operations on the ground. After 2022, the way we operate changed. All projects connected to Ukraine were stopped. We also stopped taking on any new projects related to Russia. Because of the sanctions, key functions, including IT systems, data exchange, and operational control, cannot be managed from Europe. As a result, these operations are handled locally, independently and under responsibility of the local management — this is how the majority of international companies operate in the current environment. I’m not involved in managing these operations. Under the existing regulatory framework, selling or liquidating such entities is not straightforward and requires approvals that are difficult to obtain in practice. I work within international rules, I follow the law, and I make decisions based on the reality we’re in. But my approach to business hasn’t been shaped by work alone. Chess has had a big influence on it. Chess teaches you to think a few steps ahead, to make decisions under pressure, and to take responsibility for them. It’s simple: every move has consequences. That mindset is something I brought into my business. I don’t build my business around countries or nationalities. I build it around people. What matters to me is people who can think, take responsibility, and deliver results. Where someone comes from doesn’t matter. What matters is what they can do and how they work. I invest where I see real potential and long-term value, not quick wins. For me, chess is not just a game - it’s a tool for thinking, learning, and development. That’s why I believe chess should be part of the school system, not as an optional activity, but as something built into education. Because chess is not about pieces on a board - it’s about how a child learns to think, understand consequences, make decisions, and take responsibility for them. These are basic skills that shape how people live and work later on, and the earlier a child is exposed to this, the stronger that foundation becomes. There are a lot of assumptions about my background and my involvement in chess. Let me be clear: everything I do in chess is based on my own ideas and long-term projects. It has nothing to do with replacing any previous sponsors. As for identity, I have one citizenship - German. That’s how I define myself. At the same time, my experience comes from living and working in different countries, with different people and different systems. That’s why, for me, one thing matters: respect and opportunity shouldn’t depend on nationality. Chess is one of the clearest examples of how people from different countries can interact and grow on equal terms, and I believe this should apply not only in sport, but also in business. The world is complicated right now. There are a lot of conflicts and contradictions, but there are things that shouldn’t change: - Respect for people, - Responsibility for your decisions, - Keeping your word, no matter the circumstances. That’s my position. And that’s how I make decisions, both in business and in chess.

You are a person that fulfill your promises and that have chess in your heart ❤️ 👏🏻

I often hear different stories about myself - about where I come from and who I am. So let me say it clearly, in my own words. Today, I live an international life. But to understand me, it’s important to start with where everything began. I was born in 1990 in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. On my father’s side, my roots are Ukrainian. In 2000, my family moved to Germany. I grew up there, was educated there, and today I hold only one citizenship - German. Germany is where I was formed as a person. My family story is also connected to Russia. My mother is Russian, and I spent part of my life there as well - both as a child and later as an adult. So my background was never one-dimensional. Ukraine, Germany and Russia all shaped different parts of my life - through family, language, education, culture and personal experience. This dual reality is not a political position. It is part of my personal story. My connection to chess started early. As a child, I would sit with my grandfather and analyse Bundesliga games. At the age of nine, I told him that one day I would win the Bundesliga. In 2001, I joined a gymnasium in Düsseldorf, where I met my mathematics teacher, Mr. Koch, who also led the school’s chess club. He played an important role in introducing me to structured thinking and competitive chess. I sometimes joked with him that if he had given me better grades, perhaps my path would have been different. After classes, he organised additional chess sessions, where I met Manfred Schneider and Thomas Fiebig. Through them, I was introduced to a real chess club and that is where I met my first professional coach and mentor, Rainer Becker (pictured in the attached photo as team captain alongside Manfred Schneider). I did not come from a wealthy family. Travelling to tournaments was not easy for us – my parents did not even have a car at the time. Rainer Becker often drove me to tournaments himself. This is something I will always remember and be grateful for. Looking back, I understand how important those early influences were. Teachers, mentors, and access to education shaped my path. Germany has one of the strongest education systems in the world, and I am proud to have grown up in that environment. It also shaped how I see the role of chess today. For me, chess is not just a sport. It is a tool - for education, for discipline, for thinking, and for creating opportunities. I experienced this personally, and that is why I am committed to giving others the same chance. I want more children to be introduced to chess through schools. I want them to have access to mentors, to tournaments, and to an environment where they can grow. One of my early memories dates back to 2004, at a youth competition in NRW, where we were among the strongest players in our age group. On the far left in the photo is Matthias Blübaum. Back then, I had the upper hand. Today, things might look different and that is exactly the point. It is a reminder of how paths evolve, and how strong this generation of players has become. Over the years, I have lived and worked in different countries, including Germany, Switzerland, the UAE, the USA, and Singapore. These experiences shaped my international perspective and the way I approach both business and chess. In my next post, I will explain how this background shaped my decisions and how it influences the way I build and run my business today.

We are proud to announce the next stop of the WR Women’s Chess Tour - this summer in the iconic Saint-Tropez 🇫🇷 Our venue: the exceptional Le Vignoble Torpez à Saint-Tropez - a setting that represents elegance, atmosphere, and the very best of the French Riviera. Summer in Saint-Tropez will be intense. It will be hot 🔥 on the board and beyond. One of the most iconic destinations in the world, where sport, lifestyle, and global audience meet. We are also happy to announce that @lichess will support the tour by broadcasting our events and organizing the online qualification stages - opening the doors to talents from all over the world. We would like to extend a direct invitation to leading French companies to become part of this journey: @lorealparisfr @AirFranceFR @airfrance @Hermes_Paris @LVMH @BNPParibas @AXA @SchneiderElec @Danone @Capgemini @orange @ENGIEgroup @VINCI @thalesgroup We have not yet seen some of these iconic names actively supporting chess at this level - perhaps it is time. We are open for discussions. Let’s create something special together 🇫🇷

€1.7 billion project. Global execution at scale. Today I met with our regional CEOs - Cem Yilmaz (WR Türkiye 🇹🇷), Miguel Salas (WR Spain 🇪🇸) and Enejan Novruzova (WR Turkmenistan 🇹🇲) - to review developments across our international operations. A key focus was the Ceyhan Polypropylene Project - a strategic investment of approximately € 1.7 billion and one of the most significant industrial developments in Türkiye. WR Logistics is responsible for executing the international logistics scope of the project, managing complex cargo flows from multiple regions into a single coordinated delivery. The project is developed by 🇹🇷 @holdingronesans Holding and 🇩🇿 @sonatrach_dz and sets a new benchmark for industrial infrastructure in the region. Since January, we have been managing continuous deliveries of industrial equipment to site, coordinating shipments from Spain 🇪🇸, China 🇨🇳, South Korea 🇰🇷, Japan 🇯🇵, India 🇮🇳, and Egypt 🇪🇬. Project progress: • Large-scale volumes delivered across multiple continents • Heavy and oversized cargo handled • Ongoing pipeline of shipments under execution This type of operation requires synchronized planning across regions, consistent execution, and full visibility over the supply chain. Once completed, the facility will become Türkiye’s first large-scale polypropylene production plant, strengthening the country’s industrial capacity. We are proud to be part of a project of this scale.

Regulations for Miami are out

Increíble apoyo al #Ajedrez femenino en todos los continentes! 日本で会いましょう @WadimRosenstein ♟️❤️👍🏻

June 6–7. Tokyo, Japan. Mark your calendars. The first edition of the WR Chess Women’s Tour 2026 is coming to Japan. Four invited players, three top-rated players from Asia, and one winner of the online qualifier will compete for the title. More details about the qualifier will follow shortly. We are proud to bring our chess initiative to Japan 🇯🇵 - a country we are already connected to through our own presence. Chess offers a unique platform that aligns closely with the philosophy and discipline behind many of Japan’s leading companies. We would be honored to engage with leaders such as @ToyotaMotorCorp @Sony @SoftBank @panasonic @Nintendo @RakutenJP @Hitachi @Fujitsu_Global @Honda @NissanMotor @Canon @Kirin_Company @asahigroupjapan @UNIQLO_JP @MHI_Group @mitsuiandco @Sumitomo_SA @official_kddi @docomo to explore the potential of chess as a global platform. We welcome you to join us for this event in Tokyo. Feel free to contact me directly. Let’s build something meaningful together and unite chess worldwide.

UPD: After our letter, some public posts appear to have been removed. Federations can be approached, but should not be influenced. Candidates should be respected and not misrepresented by rumors or unverified information. We encourage federations to report any such cases.

Miami is about to witness something special. 🔥 New dates: 27-28 July. For the first time in this format - a true clash of generations and styles: Team USA 🇺🇸 vs Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 On one side, proven elite experience: Hikaru Nakamura @GMHikaru Fabiano Caruana @FabianoCaruana Wesley So @WesleySo_ Levon Aronian @LevAronian On the other, one of the fastest-rising teams in the world - a generation that already proved it can win on the biggest stage. Javokhir Sindarov @GMJSindarov Nodirbek Abdusattorov @NodirbekGM Nodirbek Yakubbaev Shamsiddin Vokhidov Speed. Precision. Nerves. Supported by the US Chess Federation @uschess and the Uzbekistan Chess Federation. Miami. July 27-28. Be ready.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to my wonderful sister, Susan @SusanPolgar! 🤗 She has had such an amazing journey! You motivated and inspired me all the time! I am so proud of her!❤️ #ChessConnectsUs #myfamily #mysister

Sigue creciendo el medallero tricolor en los Juegos Suramericanos de la Juventud #Panamá2026. 🥇 Domenick Godoy, es el deportista con más medallas de oro de la delegación ecuatoriana. 🇪🇨 #ElNuevoEcuador

¡IMPARABLES! Por tercera vez, el deportista Domenick Godoy, alcanzó la medalla de 🥇en los Juegos Suramericanos de #Panamá2026. Lo hizo en la prueba barra fija. Mientras que Josué Peralta se quedó con la🥈, consolidando a 🇪🇨 como potencia en la gimnasia artística.

I’m on X because chess politics will be my main focus in the coming months. Yesterday was the deadline for ECU Board election tickets. Today we sent an open letter raising concerns about the electoral environment and calling for transparency, equal conditions and no interference.

¡Histórico! .@kiaraRodriguezE fue nominada a los Premios Laureus 2026 como Deportista Mundial del Año con Discapacidad. 🇪🇨 Es la primera ecuatoriana en este reconocimiento que reúne a la élite del deporte mundial. 🏆 La gala será el 20 de abril en España. 🎉 #ElNuevoEcuador

Please find here below the rules & regulations of the WR Women’s Chess Tour 2026 wr-chess.com/news/wr-women-…

INCO engineering, mi empresa, participa en la misión empresarial oficial a Argentina y Chile, liderada por el Presidente @prezidentpavel . La firma del acuerdo para evitar la doble imposición con Argentina representa un paso importante para fortalecer la cooperación económica y crear un entorno más estable para la inversión internacional. Me gustaría agradecer al Presidente Petr Pavel por esta iniciativa y al Presidente @JMilei por su liderazgo en la mejora del clima de inversión en Argentina. Asimismo, extiendo mi agradecimiento a los gobiernos de Argentina y Chile por su apertura a la cooperación, especialmente en el desarrollo de proyectos de litio fundamentales para la transición energética global. Para INCO engineering, este es un entorno claro para construir alianzas a largo plazo, aportando soluciones de ingeniería fiables donde más se necesitan.

Amazing event for the Americas and the World, WORLD RECORD and 100,000 usd prize fund 👏🏻🥇♟️ Open for everyone - Increíble evento para America y el Mundo, RÉCORD MUNDIAL y 100,000 usd en premios. ¡Abierto para todos!

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