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Maia Chiburdanidze

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description Maia Chiburdanidze Overview

Maia Chiburdanidze is a Georgian chess player who achieved international recognition in 1978 when she became the Women's World Chess Champion at age 17. She successfully defended her title four times and held the championship for thirteen years before losing it to Xie Jun in 1991. Chiburdanidze was a key contributor to the Soviet Union's dominance in women's chess during the 1980s, helping her team secure multiple Chess Olympiad gold medals. She was awarded the title of Grandmaster in 1984 and was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2014.

help Maia Chiburdanidze FAQ

Whom did Maia Chiburdanidze defeat to become Women's World Chess Champion?

Chiburdanidze defeated fellow Georgian Nona Gaprindashvili in the 1978 title match. She was 17, making her the youngest Women's World Champion at that time.

How long did Maia Chiburdanidze hold the women's world title?

She reigned from 1978 until 1991, a span of about thirteen years. During that period she successfully defended the championship four times before losing it to China's Xie Jun.

Did Maia Chiburdanidze compete against male grandmasters?

Yes. She played extensively in open competition and received the unrestricted Grandmaster title in 1984. That title distinguished her achievements from the separate Woman Grandmaster designation.

What role did Chiburdanidze play in Georgian team chess?

Chiburdanidze represented both the Soviet Union and, after independence, Georgia in major team events. She was part of Georgia's celebrated women's teams during an era when the country became one of the strongest forces in women's chess.