Legendary Georgian chess player, 5-time world champion Nona Gaprindashvili has turned 80 today. The Minister of Georgia congratulated chess player.

“Her special talent and hard work has brought success to Georgia. Georgians are very proud of Nona Gaprindashvili’ who has become a symbol of victory”.

Born in Zugdidi in 1941, Gaprindashvili has won world championships in 1962, 1965, 1969, 1972 and 1975. She has also won 11 chess Olympiad tournaments (1963-1992).

Gaprindashvili was officially recognized as the greatest Georgian female sportsperson of the 20th Century. She is also the first woman to be awarded the International Chess Federation title of Grandmaster, which occurred back in 1978.