Zurab Azmaiparashvili is a distinguished Georgian chess player, born on March 16, 1960. He reached the status of a Grandmaster in 1988 and has since served in numerous administrative roles. He is famously known for winning the European Men's Individual Chess Championship in 2003.
Azmaiparashvili has made his mark in various chess matches and championships throughout his career. Notably, he took home the gold for Georgia in the Istanbul Chess Olympiad (2000), playing on their first board. He also participated in the FIDE World Chess Championship 2002 after being awarded a wildcard for his unique contribution to chess. Surprisingly, he was eliminated in the first round.
His prowess isn't limited to the competition floor. He's had an extensive administrative career, notably serving as the Vice President of FIDE and the President of the European Chess Union. His tenure at FIDE was marked with a controversial incident at the closing ceremony of the 36th Chess Olympiad.
His personal life includes his marriage in 1982 and his only daughter's birth in 2000. Despite his global recognition, his eloquence in several languages, including Georgian, Russian, English, and Spanish, adds another layer to his persona.
In his method of chess-playing, he is particularly known for favoring the King's Indian Defence: 1.e4 d6. The opening 1.e4 is named after him in New In Chess.