Gharamian wins Lille

15:25 02/05/2011 » Sport
Tigran Gharamian champion of the Open in Lille

Armenian GM Tigran Gharamian appeared with 100% performance in the open which was held in Lille, France, and was awarded the champion’s title having recorded no loss during the tournament. “Armchess.am” informs that Tigran Gharamian scored 7 points out of 9.

GM Oleg Korneev (Russia), IM Yannick Gozzoli (France) and GM Nikita Maiorov (Belarus) scored as many points as Gharamian, however, they were behind the Armenian chess player in the tie-break.

Source: http://www.panorama.am

Aronian top seed in Candidates' Matches

02.05.11 | 15:03
Chess: FIDE confirms Aronian’s top status before Candidates’ Matches

By Suren Musayelyan
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor

Armenia’s top grandmaster Levon Aronian remains one of only three current chess players with a FIDE rating of above the 2800 mark, confirming his highest status at Candidates’ Matches beginning in Russia later this week.

According to the latest statistics released by the sport’s international governing body on May 1, the 28-year-old Armenian chess ace is ranked third on the list of Top 100 Players with a rating of 2808 – next to current world champion Viswanathan Anand from India and Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, who, respectively, boast of ratings as high as 2817 and 2815.

In the absence of Carlsen at the World Candidates’ Tournament due in Kazan, Russia, on May 4-26, Aronian is thus considered a favorite to win the right to challenge Anand in the 2012 World Chess Championship.

Aronian’s immediate rival in Kazan is Russian grandmaster Alexander Grischuk (ranked 12th on the FIDE May 1 list), against whom the Armenian has a favorable record in 28 career games – nine victories against the Russian’s five.

The best-of-four quarterfinal match is scheduled to start on May 5 and will include tiebreak options of rapid, blitz and even Armageddon games. The winner of the Aronian-Grischuk match will progresses to the semifinal to meet the winner of the Vladimir Kramnik (Russian) v Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan) quarterfinal match. The other two quarterfinal pairs are Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) v Gata Kamsky (USA) and Boris Gelfand (Israel) v Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan). This second pool of four players will produce the second finalist for the best-of-four decisive match. The tournament’s total prize fund is 420,000 euros (more than $620,000), according to organizers (check here for other details http://russiachess.org).

Remarkably, Aronian’s seconds at the Kazan matches will be Sergei Movsesian and Gabriel Sargissian, who are, respectively, 35th and 79th on the current FIDE Top 100 Player list that also includes 71st-ranked Vladimir Akopian. (Traditionally in chess, like in old-fashioned duels or in modern-day boxing matches, seconds are aides in charge of ensuring fair play).

Aronian is approaching this major competition in his career in the capacity of the reigning World Blitz Chess Champion after winning the title in a highly competitive tournament in Moscow, Russia, last November. So far this year Aronian has won only one tournament (the 20th and final edition of Melody Amber blindfold/rapid chess in Monaco in March).

The Armenian grandmaster’s previous attempt to become a challenger to the holder of the world chess crown in 2007 ended in a failure as he finished only seventh out of eight players in the candidates’ tournament.

Source: http://armenianow.com

Help children develop their intellectual capacity

15.04.11 | 12:29
Chess in school: Government says board game will help pupils’ IQ
By Suren Musayelyan
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor

Citing the need to help children develop their intellectual capacity, the Armenian government on Thursday decided that chess should to be taught as a separate subject at elementary school level across the country.

In accordance with the decision, a total of about 177 million drams (about $470,000) is allocated to the Chess Academy to organize the teaching of chess at elementary school level, as well as print corresponding textbooks and manuals, purchase chess equipment and train skilled personnel for chess teaching jobs. Another 386,100 drams (a little more than $1,000) is allocated to the Ministry of Education and Science for the purchase of chess tables and chairs.

“Already this year Armenia will join the countries where chess is taught in schools,” Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan said at the government meeting, stressing that introducing chess in elementary school curricula is a key step in the series of changes aimed at raising the quality of education in Armenia.

Armenia is considered to be one of the world’s chess powerhouses and is currently ranked fourth among some 140 nations listed by the game’s international governing body FIDE. The game enjoys tremendous popularity in the country whose men’s team twice became Olympic champions in the past decade (in 2006 and 2008). Armenian male and female grandmasters successfully compete in various international tournaments, regularly winning titles and top prizes.

Source: http://armenianow.com

Chess for all children!

Chess to be taught in Armenian schools

Thursday, 14 April 2011 08:29 |

TertAm Armenia’s government adopted a decision Thursday that will see chess being included in the syllabus of lower classes in public schools as a mandatory subject.

The move is perceived as attempt to boost children’s mental capabilities.

At a cabinet meeting on Thursday the government decided to allocate 177 million drams to Armenia’s Ministry of Education and Science.

The ministry is expected to deliver the money to the Chess Academy of Armenia.

The funds will be used for the acquisition of necessary property for teaching chess, as well as for publishing chess manuals, and organizing training for chess teachers.

Source: http://www.armeniadiaspora.com

Armenia to play at WTC

Armenian national team to participate in World Team Championship

The Armenian national chess team will participate in the World Team Championship to be held in Ningbo, China from July 15 to 26, 2011.

Levon Aronian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, Robert Hovhannisyan are included in the Armenian team. The captain is Arshak Petrosian.

The championship will host the ten strongest national teams of the world - Armenia, China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Hungary, Azerbaijan, India, U.S. and Egypt, armchess.am said.

TODAY, 15:07

Aysor.am (http://www.aysor.am)

Sargsyan attended the meeting of the Armenian Chess Federation

Serzh Sargsyan attended the meeting of the Armenian Chess Federation
By Times.am at 27 December, 2010, 9:59 am

Armenian President, Chairman of Armenia’s Chess Federation Serzh Sargsyan attended the closing ceremony of the Henrik Gasparyan Chess and Checkers Tournament dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the School of Young Olympians, press service of Armenian President reports.

During the ceremony, the winners of the tournament were awarded with Cups, Diplomas, and Commemorative Medals.

The ceremony was followed by the meeting of the Council of the Federation which was chaired by the Chairman of the Council Serzh Sargsyan. In the framework of the agenda, the participants discussed and approved the bylaws of the 2011 official competitions, which include 71st and 72nd national Championships, 66th and 67th Women’s Championships, Competition of Young Players, Girls’ Championship, as well as club and women’s clubs competitions, and Armenia’s tournament of quick chess.

At the meeting it was also decided to invite a conference of the Armenia’s Chess Federation. Later, the Federation’s Veterans, Composition, and Referees Commissions made their presentations.

The Council of the Chess Federation approved a series of events dedicated to the 60th birth anniversary of Rafael Vahanyan and discussed issues related to the commendation of the young players who have shown good results at the World and Europe’s Championships and at the World Chess Olympiad.

/Times.am/
http://times.am

Mkrtchian, Petrosian win Kasparian tournament

Lilit Mkrtchyan, Tigran Petrosyan win tournament dedicated to 50th anniversary of Henrik Kasparian chess school
December 25, 2010 - 17:42 AMT 13:42 GMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - On December 25, the Chess House in Yerevan hosted an event dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Henrik Kasparian chess school.

School Director Vadim Hairapetyan briefed on the school activity and expressed gratitude to the school students, who successfully participated in various international tournaments.

“We are proud of the fact that Levon Aronian, Gabriel Sargissian, Vladimir Akopian, Tigran Nalbandyan, Hrant Melkumyan, as well as Elina Danielyan and Lilit Mkrtchyan are graduates of our school. The school has 36 branches in Armenia’s regions,” said Hayrapetyan.

As part of the event, the chess players, who participated in the tournament dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the school, were awarded.

The tournament brought together 90 chess players, including 20 GMs. Lilit Mkrtchyan and Tigran Petrosyan won the tournament.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who is also the President of the Chess Federation of Armenia, participated in the solemn event.

Source: http://www.panarmenian.net

12 grandmasters to participate in Armenian Chess Championship

12 grandmasters to participate in Armenian Chess Championship
December 20, 2010 - 15:21 AMT 11:21 GMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The 71st Armenian Chess Championship will be held in Tigran Petorsian Chess House in Yerevan from January 10 to 12. With 12 grandmasters participating, the winner will be included in the national team.

Arman Pashikian, Hrant Melkumian, Tigran L. Petrosian, Zaven Andriasian, Avetik Grigorian, Samvel Ter-Sahakian, Ashot Anastasian, Artashes Minasian, Robert Hovnannisian, Tigran Kotanjian, David Petrosian and Ara Minasian will compete, armchess.am reported.

Armenia wins gold in Turkey

Armenia takes Gold at World Chess Olympiad
December 03, 2010 23:23

Armenian Youth Team earned the title of World Chess Olympiad in Turkey. In the penultimate round the Armenian chess players defeated the Syrians with a score of 3:1 and by gaining 28.5, leaving Russia out of reach.

Karen Grigoryan, Robert Agasaryan, Hovhannes Ghabuzyan, David Shainyan and Tigran Petrosian became champions under coach Arsen Yeghiazaryan’s guidance.

This is the second time Armenia has become the champion of the World Youth Games. In 1998, the Armenian national team, Levon Aronian, Gabriel Sargsyan, Tigran Petrosyan and Varuzhan Hakobyan, won the gold as well.

Tomorrow, December 4, in the last 10th round of the Olympics, Armenia’s rival will be Turkey’s second team.

Source: http://news.am/eng

Youth Chess Team of Armenia defeated Turkey

Youth Chess Team of Armenia defeated Turkey with a score of 3,5-0,5
By Times.am at 1 December, 2010, 1:30 am

In the sixth round of World Youth U16 Olympiad Armenian chessplayers defeated Turkey team with a score of 3,5-0,5. Their games won Grigoryan Karen, Aghasaryan Robert and Gabuzyan Hovhannes. Shahinyan David – Arat Ufuk Sezen party finished with draw.

Currently team of Armenia is the only team to have recorded victories in all rounds. Our team has 20 in the account. Russian team has 16 points and is placed on the second. Chessplayers from Belarus also have 16 points and now they are third.

/Times.am – Armenian news/

Armenia vs. Turkey in World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad

Armenia vs. Turkey in World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad
November 30, 2010 12:37

On November 30, Armenian national team will play with Turkish Red team in the 6th round of World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad in Burdur, Turkey.

Four teams represent Turkey at the olympiad: Turkey Red, Turkey White, Turkey Turkuaz and Turkey Burdur.

In the 5th round Armenian chess players defeated Indian team (3:1). Karen Grigoryan, Hovhannes Gabuzyan and David Shahinyan ended the matches in a victory, whereas Robert Aghasaryan was defeated.

After the 5th round Armenia tops the standings.

Source: http://news.am