Dear visitor,
Georgia is a country of rich traditions. Also Georgian chess is famous for brilliant achievements. During quarter of the century the top of a chess Olympus was occupied adequately by the international grand masters Nona Gaprindashvili and Maya Chiburdanidze. It is possible to call Ajarian chess school a pearl in a necklace of the Georgian chess.
In Batumi chess was always paid with special attention and considered priority sport.
At different times in progress of the Batumi chess players the big share belonged to chess school which changed many different addresses. In 60-70 years it settled down on Kutaisi St. No. 5. Here also the championships of Adjara were held. After that in Park of youth the picturesque building in which the chess school "Tsitsinatela" and more than 30 years settled down, under the leadership of the trainer Guram Chanturia was built, served business of education of young chess players. On the basis of chess school the club which in honor of our eminent compatriot, a five-time world champion Nona Gaprindashvili was called "Nona", settled down seaside park in small two rooms was created. Here every summer the international festivals were held, and children seized chess wisdom.
Now the club “Nona” continues a work on the basis of the Batumi Sports Palace named after Mukhran Vachtangadze (15 Leonidze Street).
Since May, 2013 the chess club "Nona" was transformed to chess club "Nona" at city administration of Batumi. Now the club has the budget, rooms for work are equipped, the chess stock is acquired, and all conditions for occupations are created to clubmen. To grand masters and the successful, promising little chess players, grants are appointed. In the club, grand masters recognized in the world, professional coaches who give master classes, thematic lectures are periodically invited. Systematically there take place retraining seminars, simultaneous exhibitions, friendly matches, collecting. According to programs of exchange exit meetings, both in the region and with clubs abroad are arranged. Children take part in the chess programs created by grand masters.
The women's national team, team of club Nona successfully plays in the club championships on behalf of Adjara that was not represented for a long time possible because of financial difficulties.
During the business visits memorandums with foreign chess clubs Juoda Balta" were issued (Lithuania); "AG AT" (Azerbaijan); "Sports school" (Uzbekistan) and "FIDE CHESS SCHOOL in Belarus" (Belarus). Ukraine-Chess Club “GAMBIT”, Cherkasy Chess Federation, Lviv “Chess Club e2-e4”, South Korea, Incheon FIDE “WIZ CHESS ACADEMY”, Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul-Chess Federation and Hurghada, Egypt “Chess School Phoenix”.
Batumi has a significant geographical advantage compared to others; it is a seaside resort city with immense potential and prospects for development and prosperity if given the right support. In Batumi, the foundation was laid for the traditional international festival “Batumi Municipality Cup ”. It is carried out 9 times (in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 from July 1 to July 12). It features 11 independent international tournaments (10 in chess and 1 in mini-football). International ratings are calculated for the tournaments. The main “A” tournament consistently awards FIDE international titles and norms. Year after year, there is a noticeable increase in the number of participating countries and chess players. In 2025, a record number was set at the festival—over 600 high-level chess players from 28 countries competed. All games from the “A” Tournament were broadcast live on the club's official website using the latest LIVE software. The tournament brought over 1,500 visitors from various countries to Batumi. This sets the stage for the tournament to have even more participants and visitors in 2026! The tournament is held to world standards and is steadily and consistently establishing its prestigious place on the world chess scene. It also enjoys positive feedback and reviews in the online space.
We are pleased that the city council and the mayor's office are helping us solve all the problems we face. For this, the chess players and chess lovers of Batumi express their deepest gratitude.
We are proud of the fact that members of chess club are the International Grand masters:
Salome Melia (the Master of Sports among men, the female grand master, the repeated champion and the prize-winner in age tournaments of Georgia, Europe and world, the winner and the prize-winner of competitions of high level).
Nino Batsiashvili (international grand master, repeated champion of Georgia, repeated champion of the age championships of Georgia, winner and prize-winner of prestigious international competitions).
Gaioz Nigalidze (repeated winner of the age championships of Georgia, winner and prize-winner of different republican and international tournaments).
International Grand master Miranda Mikadze (repeated champion of the age championships of Georgia, repeated prize-winner of the age World Cups and Europe).
Thanks to the city authorities' support, the club achieved great success on the international stage.
Today, the Batumi “Nona” Chess Club:
Four times champion of Georgia !
26.09 - 03.10.2014 – Ureki;
21 - 28.09.2016 – Lagodekhi;
29.11-05.12.2017 – Tbilisi;
14.11-22.11.2018 – Tbilisi.
Four times champion of Europe !
13 - 21.09.2014 – Bilbao, Spain;
17 - 25.10.2015 – Skopje, Macedonia;
07 - 15.10.2017 – Antalya, Turkey.
09 - 17.11.2019 – Ulcinj, Montenegro
Two-time vice-champion of Europe !
05 - 13.11.2016 – Novi Sad Serbia,
11 - 19.10.2018 – Khalkidhiki, Porto Karas, Greece.
These European club championships are considered as one of the most prestigious tournaments in which the leading clubs and the best chess players systematically participate.
As the Batumi club "Nona" became the triple champion of Europe, on December 12, 2018 in the Batumi mayor's office at an official meeting at the mayor Lasha Komakhidze, the president of the European chess Union Zurab Azmayparashvili and the president of the Georgian Chess Federation Georgy Giorgadze gave this challenge cup to Nona club to constant possession.
October 21-23, 2017, Business Initiative Group (BID) and BID Group One on the convention World Quality Commitment to the chess club "Nona" nominated in gold category awarded "A gold star" for the made contribution to the culture of world quality, the shown professionalism and for a short time the achieved impressive success.
The correct strategy and effective management and also high level of the official site was noted in work of club (www. chessbatumi.ge). Representatives of Nona club took active part in work of the international seminar. The partner of the convention "Imar Pres" within 2 years will place information on Nona club in various magazines. From Paris sent the December magazine of 2017 "BeattON" in which on a cover, the main average turn, and not only, the photo and information on club and an awards ceremony "A gold star" were placed to club.
The decree of the President of Georgia, on August 18 the Head coach of Nona club Guram Chanturia was awarded with the Order of Honour.
On the congress FIDE which is carried out in Antalya, the highest was appropriated to the manager and the coach of club Marika Japaridze judicial "A" category. At that time she was the youngest female Category "A" arbiter. Her refereeing career began in 1999 (a 26-year refereeing tenure), and the number of prestigious tournaments and championships she has officiated is impressive. In 2022-2023 and 2024-2025, she was selected by FIDE for the top-level panel of 20 arbiters. The “Green Panel” is composed of arbiters who can be appointed to any position, including as Chief Arbiter, for World Championships and top-rated FIDE tournaments. In 2024, Marika Japaridze was nominated by FIDE and the Arbiters Commission for the prestigious “Best Female Arbiter” category, being selected as one of the top 7 female arbiters in the world. (Budapest, Hungary, September 19, 2024).
The Nona club played a significant role in preparation and holding the 43rd World Chess Olympiad. At the same time the manager of club, and the Deputy Chief Judge, the international Judge "And" categories Marika Japaridze the President of Chess Federation of Georgia and the Chairman of Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games Georgy Giorgadze and the Minister of education, science and sport Mikhail Batiashvili for the contribution made in successful holding the Olympic Games was awarded with the diploma.
Representatives of Nona club participated in a ceremony of European Parliament on which Jean Francesco was transferred to the mayor of Batumi Lasha of Komakhidze by the President of ACES EUROPE a title and a flag "the European City of Sport". Batumi is the first city in Georgia which received this status.
On December 24, 2018 in Hilton hotel rewarding show of the best clubs, athletes, and trainers was held. The Nona club was awarded in 3 nominations.
Individual awards were presented:
In the Athlete of Year nomination - Nino Batsiashvili.
In the club championship of Georgia four-time winners - the captain Marika Japaridze (WFM), members David Jojua (GM), David Maghalashvili (GM), David Benidze (GM), Konstantin Shanava (GM), Miranda Mikadze (WGM) and Sofiko Khukhashvili (IM, WGM).
Club Nona won the Club of the Year award, becoming a three-time champions and two-time vice-champions of Europe: Nana Dzagnidze (GM), Nino Batsiashvili (GM), Bela Khotenashvili (GM), Lela Javakhishvili (GM), Salome Melia (IM, WGM), Miranda Mikadze (WGM), permanent captain Marika Japaridze (WFM) and coach David Jojua (GM).
The Nona club won the "Good Management of Sports Club" nomination.
The Batumi chess club "Nona" was recognized by the best club of 2019.
Club Nona operates according to the following criteria:
a). Beginner group; b). Preparatory group; c). Mastery Group; D). Advanced Mastery Group
25 groups, with a stable total of 400 children, who have been learning the wisdom of chess for free for over 12 years.
The club organizes various chess activities, collaborates with and assists universities, schools, young people, and children interested in chess, and supports the implementation of their initiatives. Through joint projects with various organizations, it effectively promotes chess with minimal expense (at most—trophies, diplomas, medals; at a minimum—technical support/ organization) achieves maximum results, and the club also effectively uses online resources. Based on the above, the number of chess events and activities has significantly increased with no or minimal expense.
2025 Club Nona events held - 93 (International - 76: OTB-48 and Online-28), medals won: at the board: - International - 133 medals (45 gold, 42 silver, 46 bronze); - Georgian Championships - 4 medals (3 gold, 1 silver) - Adjara Championships/Regional - 36 medals (13 gold, 11 silver, 12 bronze); - City - 18 medals (8 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze); Online: - International - 62 medals (29 gold, 18 silver, 15 bronze); - International - 4 medals (2 gold, 2 bronze);
The Nonna club won in many prestigious nominations, earning special awards and letters of appreciation for its high achievements in chess!
Maybe future world champion exactly here grows...
Author: Marika Japaridze
