A strong chess player must have strong nerves: Gaprindashvili

Former Women's Chess World Champion

Nona Gaprindashvili as a young lady

Hello Everyone,

Who doesn't know Georgian Grandmaster Nona Gaprindashvili?

At the age of 20, in 1961, Gaprindashvili became the World Women's Chess Champion beating Elisabeth Bykova. The Georgian defended her title successfully four times losing it eventually to 17-year-old Maia Chiburdanidze, another Georgian, in 1978.

The former World Champion says a strong chess player must have a natural talent for chess, strong nerves, a firm psychological profile, and a resolute constitution!

Gaprindashvili spoke at length about her life and chess on the sidelines of the ongoing Women's Chess Grand Prix in Jermuk, Armenia.

You can read the full interview here.

Meanwhile, here is a nice French Defence game by Gaprindashvili from 1975.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com