Nona Gaprindashvili is a Georgian chess player, Grandmaster, and a former Women's World Chess Champion. She was the first woman to be awarded the Grandmaster title by Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE). Born in 1941 in Zugdidi, Georgia, Gaprindashvili won the USSR Women's Championship five times and was the Women's World Chess Champion from 1962 until 1978.
In 1962, at the age of 20, Nona gained the Women's World Championship title, which she defended successfully four times. During her career, Gaprindashvili also made significant achievements in men's tournaments, and she is the first female player to win a 'men's' grandmaster tournament.
In 1978, Gaprindashvili lost her title to another Georgian player, Maia Chiburdanidze, in a tight match.
Even into the 21st century, Gaprindashvili has continued to compete. In 1995 and 2009 respectively, she won World Senior Championships, and in 2008, she won the European Senior Championship.
Her impact on chess, especially women's chess, has resulted in FIDE naming their Women's Grand Prix Series after her, the 'Women’s Grand Prix Nona Gaprindashvili.' Thus, Nona Gaprindashvili has a significant influence on the world of chess still today.