Luciana Morales Mendoza — Woman International Master & Chess Educator
Luciana Morales Mendoza is a Peruvian Woman International Master (WIM) and Pan-American champion known for her inspiring journey from youth prodigy to international chess educator. Born in Lima, Peru, she began playing chess at age eight and quickly rose through the competitive ranks, winning multiple Pan-American youth titles and qualifying for the 2004 Women’s World Chess Championship. She represented Peru in the Women’s Chess Olympiads of 2002, 2006, and 2010.
After earning her WIM title in 2003 and achieving a peak FIDE rating of 2219, Luciana continued her academic and professional growth in the United States, completing a Master’s in Public Policy & Management at the University of Texas at Brownsville.
Now based in Brownsville, Texas, she focuses on chess education and outreach, developing bilingual programs and courses—including “Queens of the Chess Board”—to empower girls, women, and youth through strategic thinking, confidence building, and creativity. Luciana blends competitive insight with community-driven passion, making her a leading voice in expanding access to chess across cultures.