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Nona Gaprindashvili: Politics might not affect Russia and Georgia people’s friendship |
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Wednesday, 15 April 2009 |
 In Nalchik, at the “Sindika” hotel, within the framework of the Fourth FIDE Grand Prix tournament there was held a press-conference given by Nona Gaprindashvili, a world-renowned legendary Georgean chessplayer, a five-time world champion, the first woman in chess history to be awarded the Men’s International Grandmaster title. The press conference was participated by the federal, regional and local mass media.
The world-famous chessplayer who had been President of the National Olympic Committee of Georgia informed all those present on her former presidential activity.
She shared her experience in organizing the Committee’s activity when
due to hard economic situation Georgia was unable to finance the
development of sports in the country. It is due to sponsors, namely to
Badri Patarkacishvili that Georgia managed to participate in various
sports events, she said. As a result Georgian sportsmen won two gold
medals at the last Olympic Games, whereas National Women Chess Team of
Georgia became the winner of the World Chess Olympiad.
Nona Gaprindashvili regretted her not being able to participate in the
2008 Women’s Chess Championship in Nalchik last year, because of the
events in South Ossetia. But this year when the opportunity to visit
Nalchik presented itself, without a moment’s hesitation, she took the
decision to come to Nalchik.
Nona mentioned that she is not currently much involved in public
activity and being “a free citizen of Georgia” as she now calls
herself. In future she hopes to see her country independent and strong.
The outstanding chess player believes that policy makers will come to
reason in the long run. “The peoples of Russia and Georgia are enjoying
time-honored friendly ties as before and policy makers are unable to
shatter them,” – Gaprindashvili emphasized.
 The
press conference was participated by a world renowned Grandmaster, the
tenth World Chess Champion Boris Spassky. By asking questions he
brightened up the meeting with the chess legend. It is to be mentioned
that Boris Spassky will be commenting the games of the tournament.
Then the attention of all those present shifted to an intriguing talk
between the two Grandmasters - Gaprindashvili and Spassky. Boris
Spassky recollected the game they played against each other in
Goteborg. It was a tense and exciting chess fight, which ended in a
draw, he mentioned.
Gaprindashvili confessed that it was hard for her to play against men.
Being persistent, they did their best to win and, consequently, were
very reluctant to agree to a draw.
It was Nona Gaprindashvili’s first visit to Nalchik and she spoke with
admiration about the town and the people. She said she was impressed by
the warm and friendly meetings she had had with the local Georgian
diaspora and famous people of the republic before the press conference.
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