Nona Gaprindashvili wins European Chess Champion title for seniors

Georgia’s chess legend Nona Gaprindashvili has been crowned European Chess Champion among senior players after her performance at the tournament in Drammen, Norway earned her the title last weekend.

The first-ever five-time world champion and Grand Master claimed the win in the 65+ Women category at the event organised by the European Chess Union.

Involving nearly 120 of the leading players of the senior age from around the world, the 18th edition of the championship feature 66 competitors in Gaprindashvili’s section, including four Grand Masters.

Gaprindashvili with other title-winners and organisers of the event. Photo: Morthen Auke and Tom Eriksen.

The famed Georgian player drew her final game, which meant she finished equal on 5.5 points with Russia’s Elena Fatalibekova.

Gaprindashvili’s higher ranking then decided the final results in favour of the player who took the world championship titles in 1962, 1965, 1969, 1972 and 1975.

The third spot and bronze medal in the section went to Woman Grand Master Tamar Khmiadashvili, the other member of the Georgian roster at the competition.

Running from August 3-13, the European Senior Chess Championship was played in a nine-round system of 120-minute matches. It was hosted at Scandic Ambassadeur, a hotel near the Drammen river, a short distance from capital Oslo.

Gaprindashvili claimed the title of the 2017 edition of the tournament in Spain.