She then moved to Leningrad, where she met and married scientist Lev Davidovich Goldstein; in 1931 they had a son.

In World War II, Rudenko organized a train to evacuate children from the Siege of Leningrad.

After the war, in the winter of 1949–1950, the World Chess Federation FIDE held a tournament in Moscow to determine the new women's champion.

Sixteen women from twelve countries competed, with the four Soviet players taking the top four spots.

Rudenko, who was then 45 years old, won the tournament, a full point ahead of the field (scoring nine wins, one loss, and five draws).