Nona Gaprindashvili

Nona Gaprindashvili

The fifth World Chess Champion
Date of Birth: 05.09.1941
Country: Georgia

Content:
  1. Nona Gaprindashvili: A Chess Icon
  2. Women's World Chess Champion
  3. Successful Title Defenses
  4. Continued Success and Achievements
  5. Soviet and International Dominance
  6. Legacy and Recognition

Nona Gaprindashvili: A Chess Icon

Early Life and Career

Nona Gaprindashvili, the fifth Women's World Chess Champion, embarked on her chess journey at the tender age of 5. She honed her skills at the Tbilisi Palace of Pioneers under the guidance of V. Karseladze. At 14, she placed second in the Tbilisi Championship, and by 15, she became the Georgian Champion.

Women's World Chess Champion

In 1960, Gaprindashvili achieved fourth place in the Soviet Women's Championship, qualifying her for the 1961 Candidates' Tournament. She emerged victorious, earning her a match for the World Championship title against Elisaveta Bykova, whom she defeated 9:2 (+7-0=4). At 21, Gaprindashvili became the Women's World Champion, mirroring Vera Menchik's achievement.

Successful Title Defenses

Gaprindashvili defended her world title on three occasions: against Alla Kushnir in 1965, 1969, and 1972; and against Nana Alexandria in 1975. However, in 1978, she lost her title to Maia Chiburdanidze in a match held in Pitsunda.

Continued Success and Achievements

Despite the title loss, Gaprindashvili remained a formidable force in chess. She won the 1980 Candidates' Tournament (defeating Nana Gurieli and drawing with Nana Ioseliani) but lost to Ioseliani in the tie-break. In 1982, she triumphed in the Bad Kissingen Interzonal Tournament but was defeated by Irina Levitina in 1983. Her last Candidates' Tournament appearance was in 1988, where she placed seventh.

Soviet and International Dominance

Gaprindashvili was a five-time Soviet Women's Champion (1964, 1974-1977, 1981, 1983, 1985). She also won the European Women's Team Championship twice (1969 and 1972). As a member of the Soviet team, she participated in ten Women's Chess Olympiads (1963-1986) and won all ten of them.

Additionally, Gaprindashvili competed in numerous men's tournaments, achieving notable victories such as first and second place in the 1963-1964 Hastings Tournament (side event), first to fourth place in the 1977 US Open, and first place in Reggio-Emilia and Wijk-aan-Zee in 1987.

Legacy and Recognition

Nona Gaprindashvili's exceptional skills transformed women's chess. She became a versatile player, excelling in both tactical complexities and strategic maneuvering. Her contributions to the sport have earned her the admiration of many, including Max Euwe, who praised her as "significantly superior" to Vera Menchik and described her as "a chess player of broad scope and great creative potential."

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