Georgian chess legend Nona Gaprindashvili honoured at special chess evening in Warsaw

An evening dedicated to legendary Georgian chess player Nona Gaprindashvili was held in Warsaw, celebrating chess, friendship and intergenerational ties while bringing together the rich traditions and histories of Georgian and Polish chess.

The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of Georgia in Poland, the Warsaw Sports and Tourism Museum and the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Held at the museum on September 30, the evening celebrated the life, achievements and enduring legacy of Gaprindashvili, a living legend of world chess, five-time Women’s World Champion and 11-time Chess Olympiad winner. The event also marked the closing of the exhibition History Written with Pieces, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Polish Chess Federation.

Georgian Ambassador to Poland Diana Zhgenti welcomed guests and spoke about Gaprindashvili’s remarkable sporting career, historic victories and the pivotal role she has played in the development and global promotion of chess.

The event’s co-organizers, Alexandra Czechovich-Wozniak, Director of the Warsaw Sports and Tourism Museum, and FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej, also addressed attendees.

A discussion with Gaprindashvili, moderated by Georgian grandmaster Keti Tsatsalashvili, formed a central part of the evening. Guests had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the legendary player’s life, the defining moments of her career, her historic victories and the experiences that established her as one of the most influential figures in world chess.

During the conversation, Gaprindashvili recalled her special connection with Poland and emphasized chess as a universal language that unites people, cultures and nations.

The symbolic portion of the evening featured two blitz games, with Gaprindashvili once again facing Polish grandmasters Hanna Erenska-Barlo and Agnieszka Brustman.

Another exhibition game was played against diplomats accredited in Poland. The Georgian chess legend took on a team of ambassadors led by the Ambassador of Romania, with ambassadors from Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia and Georgia also participating.

The evening served as a celebration of chess, friendship and intergenerational connections, once again highlighting the strong historical ties and shared traditions of Georgian and Polish chess.

The Embassy expressed its sincere gratitude to the Warsaw Sports and Tourism Museum, FIDE and everyone who contributed to organizing the special event.