The great chess player from Georgia, Women Grandmaster and International Arbiter Nana Alexandria turns 60 today, October 13, 2009.
I am lucky to know Nana personally, she has always been so nice to me, she gave me her book and we have often talked at chess events, which was always an inspiration for me, as I had studied quite a few of her games.
Nana Alexandria has had a tremendous chess career both as a player and as a chess promoter.
Her main achievements:
- World Championship Match Chiburdanidze-Alexandria (1981) - the only match that ended in equality (8:8) in the history of women's chess!
- 2-time World Vice-Champion (1975-1978, 1981-1984);
- Winner of the World Championship Interzonal Tournaments(1971, 1985);
- Participant of 8 World Championship Candidates' cycles! (1966-1988);
- Winner of the European countries Champions' Cup (1970);
- 6-time winner of the World Chess Olympiads (1969, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986);
- Captain of the World Chess Olympiads winner Georgian women's team (1992, 1994, 1996);
- Fide Central Committee member (1994-1998);
- Chairperson, Fide Commitee on Women's Chess (1986-2002);
- Chairperson, International Grandmaster's Assotiation (GMA) Women's Council (1989-1991);
- President, Chess Club "NTN", winner of the European Club Cup-2004, 2005;
- International Arbiter;
- National Ambassador on Sport, Tolerance, and Fair Play in the Council of Europe.
On behalf of the FIDE women's committee, and of all chess fans around the world, I wish Nana all the best: happiness, health, love and many more years of successful and creative chess career!
Alexandra Kosteniuk
Women's World Chess Champion
Ah that's why I always confuse Alexandra and Alexandria! Now I won't make the mistake any more. I guess it's an advantage to have "Alexandr" in one's name, like Alexander Morozevich, Alexander Baburin, Alexander Kotov, Alexander Khalifman, Alexander Beliavsky, Alexander Onischuk, and of course Alexandra Kosteniuk! All Grandmasters!
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