Gaprindashvili

Nona Gaprindashvili, born in Georgia in 1941, won the 1961 Women's Candidates event, the competition that selected the champion's challenger, and defeated Elisaveta Bykova in 1962. She remained champion until 1978, making four successful defenses before losing to Maia Chiburdanidze.

Her importance extends beyond the women's championship. She competed successfully in open tournaments, meaning events open to players of any gender. In 1978 she became the first woman awarded the grandmaster title by FIDE, the International Chess Federation. This is the highest standard international title earned through competitive results, and it is distinct from the separate Woman Grandmaster title.

Gaprindashvili combined active play, calculation of specific move sequences, and a willingness to take risks. Her results in open competition gave concrete evidence that a woman could succeed against strong opposition in the general circuit. Her career helped create a path later followed in different ways by players such as Judit Polgár.