Chess Fever! GM Nino Batsiashvili Visits GAHSV

Great Victories Begin with the First Move.

On June 2nd, Vake Georgian-American High School hosted Georgian Grandmaster Nino Batsiashvili for a meet-and-greet with students from the school's chess club. While the visit took place, first-graders practiced their moves on the giant outdoor chessboard in the yard.

Batsiashvili currently ranks 15th in the women's world rankings and holds the Grandmaster (GM) title in both the women's and open categories. Her achievements include an Olympic silver medal, two World Team Championship titles with Georgia, a European Rapid Championship title, four European Club Cup wins, and Georgia's "Athlete of the Year" in 2022.

During the visit, Mrs. Nino shared stories from her career, including her drawn match against World Champion Magnus Carlsen. Students then faced her in a simultaneous exhibition match, testing their skills directly against a Grandmaster.

To close the day, Mrs. Nino and chess instructor Megi Esebua presented awards to the winners of the school's intra-school tournament:

• 1st Place: Davit Machavariani (IV-2)

• 2nd Place: Demetre Motsonelidze (IV-4)

• 3rd Place: Giorgi Getsadze (IV-3)
  

Encounters like this give students a chance to learn from elite athletes and consider what focused, long-term effort can achieve.