Women's World Chess Championship 1959The 1959 Women's World Chess Championship was won by Elisabeth Bykova, who successfully defended her title in a match against challenger Kira Zvorykina.1959 Candidates TournamentThe Candidates Tournament was held in Plovdiv in May 1959 and won by Zvorykina, who earned the right to challenge the reigning champion Bykova for the title.1959 Championship MatchThe championship match was played in Moscow in 1959. Bykova won comfortably and retained her title.