Chess in Armenia

Chess has been played in Armenia since the early Middle Ages; however, it was institutionalized during the early Soviet period.[2] Highly popular in Armenia today,[3][4][5] chess gained widespread recognition during the 1960s, when Soviet Armenian grandmaster Tigran Petrosian became the World Chess Champion.[2][6] A country of about three million people, Armenia is considered one of the strongest chess nations today.[7][8] Among countries, Armenia has one of the most chess grandmasters per capita.[9]

The Yerevan Chess House, founded in 1970[1]
Two men playing chess in Yerevan Vernissage

Since the country's independence, the Armenian men's chess team has won the European Team Championship (1999), the World Team Championship (2011) and the Chess Olympiad (2006, 2008, 2012). The women's team had its crowning victory at the 2003 European Championship. As of December 2019, Armenia ranks sixth in the world by the average rating of its top players.[10] Levon Aronian, Armenia's best chess player, has placed as high as world No. 2 in the FIDE rankings, and has been a World Champion candidate on six occasions.

Since the 2011–12 school year, chess lessons have been made part of the curriculum in every public school in Armenia, making it the first country in the world to make chess mandatory in schools.[11][12]

Name

Until the early 20th century, chess was known in Armenian as čatrak (ճատրակ), from Middle Persian chatrang.[13][14] Today, that term—pronounced jadrag[15]—is only used in Western Armenian, which is spoken in the Armenian diaspora.[16][17] In modern Eastern Armenian, which is the variation of Armenian used in Armenia, chess is known as šaxmat շախմատ [ʃɑχmɑt]. It is derived from Russian šáxmaty (шахматы), itself a derivative from Persian šâh mât (شاه مات), literally meaning "the king is at a loss" or "the king is helpless."[18] The latter Persian phrase is also the etymology of the English checkmate.[19]

History

Early history

In their 1936 book on the history of chess, historians Joseph Orbeli and Kamilla Trever suggest that chess was known in Armenia since at least the 9th century, when Armenia was under Arab rule.[20] According to them, the game was brought to Armenia by the Arabs from India, where the game is believed to have been originated in the 6th century as Chaturanga.[20][21] In 1967, chess pieces were found in the citadel of Dvin, the medieval Armenian capital.[22] Chess is mentioned in manuscripts from the 12th–13th centuries, kept in the Matenadaran in Yerevan, including a 13th-century manuscript by Vardan Areveltsi.[23] Until the mid-20th century villagers in Shenavan near Aparan used homemade chess figures similar to medieval ones.[20][24]

Soviet period

Chess in Armenia was institutionalized after the establishment of Soviet rule in 1920.[25] In 1926–27, by the initiative of chemist Simon Hovyan (1869–1942), sections about chess started appearing in many Armenian newspapers. Hovyan contributed to the popularization of chess in Armenia by giving lectures about the game and translating books by Emanuel Lasker, Ilya Maizelis (ru), and Yakov Rokhlin (ru) into Armenian.[25]

A 1996 Armenian postage stamp depicting Tigran Petrosian and the Yerevan Chess House

The first chess competitions were held in 1927, when the Armenian Chess Federation was founded.[1] Until 1934 chess players from Armenia competed in the Transcaucasian championship. In 1934 the first Armenian Chess Championship was held in Yerevan. Genrikh Kasparyan became its winner. In later years Kasparyan won the championship nine times and became the most-titled Armenian chess player with ten national championship wins. The women's championship was also held the same year, Sirush Makints and Margarita Mirza-Avagian shared the champion title.[26] The first Armenian chess club was founded in 1936. Chess clubs were also founded in Leninakan (now Gyumri) and Kirovakan (now Vanadzor) in the 1950s.[25]

Chess became particularly popular with the unprecedented success of Tigran Petrosian in the 1960s. Born in Tiflis, the current capital of Armenia's neighbor Georgia, he started his ascent in Armenia with a 1946 victory at the national championship. He then won the Soviet champion title four times (1959, 1961, 1969, 1975). In 1963 Petrosian became the World Chess Champion, defeating Mikhail Botvinnik, another Soviet representative. Petrosian's victory not only popularized the game of chess, but also "led to an outpouring of patriotic fervour" in the smallest Soviet republic. "From that moment on, chess became a national obsession."[27] Many couples named their sons Tigran, after Petrosian.[27] Besides being World Champion for six years (1963 to 1969), Petrosian won the Chess Olympiad nine times with the Soviet team (1958 to 1974).[28]

In 1962, there were 30,000 chess players in Soviet Armenia, as well as 3,000 instructors and judges. By 1986 the number of chess players had increased to 50,000, including three grandmasters: Rafael Vaganian, Smbat Lputian, and Arshak Petrosian.[25] In the late Soviet period, Rafael Vaganian (1989)[29] and Artashes Minasian (1991)[30] became Soviet Champions. Vaganian also won the Olympiad with the Soviet team twice in 1984 and 1986.[31]

Independent Armenia

Armenia gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, Armenian chess players have had the opportunity to represent the Republic of Armenia. Three major chess tournaments have taken place in independent Armenia: the 32nd Chess Olympiad was held at the Sports & Music Complex in Yerevan in 1996;[32] the 2001 World Team Chess Championship and the 2014 European Individual Chess Championship were held at the Yerevan Opera Theater.[33][34]

Armenia earned its first medal at the 1992 Chess Olympiad, finishing third.[35] Armenia won bronze medals at the 2002 and 2004 Olympiads as well.[36][37] The Armenian team made a breakthrough with the sensational victory at the 2006 Chess Olympiad.[38] They also won the 2008[39] and 2012 Chess Olympiads.[40] Their record at the World Team Championships has been similarly outstanding, finishing third in 1997,[41] 2001,[42] and 2005,[43] and winning in 2011.[44] At the European championships the team performed somewhat more poorly, placing third in 1997,[45] first in 1999, and second in 2007.[46]

Children playing at an outdoor chess set in Charles Aznavour Square of Yerevan

In 2011, the Ministry of Education of Armenia made chess part of the primary school curriculum along with such standards as math and history for children over the age of 6.[47][48] Chess is compulsory for second, third and fourth graders.[12] Over $1.5 million was spent on the program. The inclusion of chess in schools was generally received positively by the public, but some parents claimed that their children's school program was already complicated and overloaded.[49] Grandmaster Smbat Lputian argued that "bringing chess into schools is the best way to build the future."[50] Grandmaster Rafael Vaganian criticized the program as "farce."[51]

The decision was widely reported in the international media. Journalists, chess experts and officials in various countries praised the program and advised its adoption in their respective countries.[52][53] During his visit to Armenia in 2014 Magnus Carlsen stated: "I think Armenia's experience of teaching chess in schools is a great example for the whole world."[54]

In February 2019, The Armenian government started to consider scrapping some courses from the school curriculum and chess was the main course to be scrapped under review.

On December 12, 2019 the United Nations (UN) designated 20 July as World Chess Day as proposed by the Armenian delegation. It marks the date in 1924 when the International Chess Federation was established.[55]

Armenian diaspora

A number of ethnic Armenian chess players have achieved success outside of Armenia.

In 1985, Garry Kasparov, born in Baku, Soviet Azerbaijan to an Armenian mother and Russian Jewish father,[56] became World Champion. Although he never represented Armenia and is only half-Armenian, some sources preferred to call him Armenian,[57] partly because his last name is the Russified form of his mother's Armenian last name Kasparyan.[58]

Other notable Armenian diaspora chess players include Yury Dokhoian (Russia), Levon Ashotovich Grigorian (Uzbekistan), Tatev Abrahamyan, Samuel Sevian, Varuzhan Akobian, Melikset Khachiyan (United States), and Natalia Khoudgarian (Canada).

Institutions

The national governing body for chess, the Armenian Chess Federation, was founded in 1927.[1] Serzh Sargsyan, then Defense Minister, was elected its president in 2004 and was reelected in 2011.[59] Sargsyan "is known for enthusiastically supporting Armenian chess players."[52] On one occasion, Sargsyan stated that "We don't want people to know Armenia just for the earthquake and the genocide. We would rather it was famous for its chess."[27] The Armenian government provides grandmasters with salaries and perks.[6][12]

The Chess Academy of Armenia (Հայաստանի շախմատի ակադեմիա) is a leading education institutions of chess in Armenia. It was founded in 2002 by the initiative of Grandmaster Smbat Lputian and supported by then-Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The academy has also organized international and national chess tournaments.[60]

National championship
Main article: Armenian Chess Championship

The first Armenian championship occurred in 1934 when it was part of the Transcaucasian SFSR. Championships were held sporadically in the Armenian SSR until 1945, when they became an annual event; this practice has been continued in independent Armenia. Genrikh Kasparyan has won it the most times (10 times), followed by Ashot Anastasian (8 times), Levon Grigorian (6 times) and Artashes Minasian (6 times).[61]

The first woman's championship also took place in 1934, but was not held again till 1939. Some of the most notable women champions include Elina Danielian (6 times), Lilit Mkrtchian (4 times) and Siranush Andriasian (3 times).[26]

Media
The logo of Chess in Armenia magazine

In 1972, the magazine Chess in Armenia (Շախմատային Հայաստան Shakhmatayin Hayastan) was founded by Gaguik Oganessian. It was published monthly until 1997, when it became a weekly magazine.[62] In 1972, the TV show Chess-64 (originally named Chess School) started to be aired by the Public Television of Armenia. Hosted by Gaguik Oganessian, it is the "longest lived program series" in the channel's history.[63] Another more recently created show, Chess World, is aired after the First News.[64]

Individual statistics

FIDE, the World Chess Federation, lists 24 active Armenian grandmasters, 4 woman grandmasters, 17 international masters and 4 woman international masters.[65]

Men

The Top 10 Armenian grandmasters as of September 2018 are listed below.[66]

See also: List of Armenian chess players
Armenian players in FIDE Top 115
Levon Aronian (#6)
Sergei Movsesian (#113)
Vladimir Akopian (#101)
Gabriel Sargissian (#50)
#PlayerBirth yearGM TitleRatingWorld rank[lower-alpha 1]
1Levon Aronian1982200027806
2Gabriel Sargissian19832002269150
3Hrant Melkumyan19892008266086
4Vladimir Akopian197119912650101
5Sergei Movsesian197819972645113
6Robert Hovhannisyan199120102621166
7Zaven Andriasian198920062603217
8Arman Pashikian198720072599230
9Tigran L. Petrosian198420042598232
10Haik M. Martirosyan200020172597240

Levon Aronian is currently No. 6 in the FIDE World Rankings. He won the Chess World Cup in 2005 and 2017.[67]

Women

The Top 10 women Armenian chess players are listed below as of September 2018.[68]

Armenian women players in FIDE Top 100
Elina Danielian (#54)
Lilit Mkrtchian (#76)
#PlayerBirth yearTitleRatingWorld rank[lower-alpha 2]
1Elina Danielian1978GM240954
2Lilit Mkrtchian1982IM238476
3Anna M. Sargsyan2001WIM2331138
4Maria Kursova1986WGM2289208
5Siranush Andriasian1986WIM2286215
6Lilit Galojan1983IM2285216
7Maria Gevorgyan1994WIM2209409
8Siranush Ghukasyan1998WIM2207424
9Armine Babayan1990-2189470
10Susanna Gaboyan2001WIM2114783

Team records

Chess Olympiads
See also: Chess Olympiad
A billboard in central Yerevan celebrating Armenia's victory at the 38th Chess Olympiad. It shows members of the Armenian team with the caption "The Kings of Chess".
Open
YearEventLocationPlayersPositionRef
199230th Chess Olympiad Manila, PhilippinesVaganian, Akopian, Lputian, Minasian, A. Petrosian, Anastasian[35]
199431st Chess Olympiad Moscow, RussiaVaganian, Akopian, Lputian, Anastasian, Minasian, Yegiazarian13[69]
199632nd Chess Olympiad Yerevan, ArmeniaAkopian, Vaganian, Lputian, Minasian, Anastasian, A. Petrosian5[70]
199833rd Chess Olympiad Elista, RussiaVaganian, Lputian, Akopian, Minasian, Asrian, Anastasian16[71]
200034th Chess Olympiad Istanbul, TurkeyVaganian, Lputian, Minasian, Anastasian, Asrian, Sargissian17[72]
200235th Chess Olympiad Bled, SloveniaAkopian, Lputian, Asrian, Sargissian, Minasian, Anastasian[36]
200436th Chess Olympiad Calviá, SpainAkopian, Aronian, Vaganian, Lputian, Sargissian, Minasian[37]
200637th Chess Olympiad Turin, ItalyAronian, Akopian, Asrian, Lputian, Sargissian, Minasian[38]
200838th Chess Olympiad Dresden, GermanyAronian, Akopian, Sargissian, T. Petrosian, Minasian[39]
201039th Chess Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk, RussiaAronian, Akopian, Sargissian, Pashikian, Grigoryan7[73]
201240th Chess Olympiad Istanbul, TurkeyAronian, Movsesian, Akopian, Sargissian, T. Petrosian[40]
201441st Chess Olympiad Tromsø, NorwayAronian, Sargissian, Movsesian, Akopian, Kotanjian8
201642nd Chess Olympiad Baku, Azerbaijandid not participate——
201843rd Chess Olympiad Batumi, GeorgiaAronian, Sargissian, Melkumyan, Hovhannisyan, Martirosyan8[74]
Women's
YearEventLocationPlayersPositionRef
199230th Chess Olympiad Manila, PhilippinesAslanian, Khalafian, Danielian, Karakashian33[75]
199431st Chess Olympiad Moscow, RussiaDanielian, Aslanian, Grigorian, Airapetian24[76]
199632nd Chess Olympiad Yerevan, ArmeniaDanielian, Hlgatian, Mkrtchian, Khalafian20[77]
199833rd Chess Olympiad Elista, RussiaDanielian, Hlgatian, Mkrtchian, Aginian21[78]
200034th Chess Olympiad Istanbul, TurkeyDanielian, Mkrtchian, Hlgatian, Aginian10[79]
200235th Chess Olympiad Bled, SloveniaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Hlgatian, Galojan15[80]
200436th Chess Olympiad Calviá, SpainDanielian, Mkrtchian, Aginian, Andriasian11[37]
200637th Chess Olympiad Turin, ItalyMkrtchian, Danielian, Aginian, Andriasian8[81]
200838th Chess Olympiad Dresden, GermanyDanielian, Mkrtchian, Aginian, Galojan, Andriasian6[82]
201039th Chess Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk, RussiaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Aginian, Kharatian11[83]
201240th Chess Olympiad Istanbul, TurkeyDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Kursova, Hairapetian6[84]
201441st Chess Olympiad Tromsø, NorwayDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Kursova, Sargsyan5
201642nd Chess Olympiad Baku, Azerbaijandid not participate
201843rd Chess Olympiad Batumi, GeorgiaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Sargsyan, Kursova, Ghukasyan

World Team Championships
See also: World Team Chess Championship
Men's
YearLocationPlayersPositionRef
1993 Lucerne, SwitzerlandVaganian, Akopian, Lputian, Minasian, Anastasian, Petrosian4[85]
1997 Lucerne, SwitzerlandAkopian, Vaganian, Lputian, Minasian, Anastasian, Khachiyan[41]
2001 Yerevan, ArmeniaAkopian, Vaganian, Lputian, Asrian, Anastasian, Minasian[42]
2005 Beersheba, IsraelAronian, Akopian, Asrian, Vaganian, Lputian, Anastasian[43]
2010 Bursa, TurkeyAronian, Akopian, Sargissian, Pashikian, Petrosian, Kotanjian5[86]
2011 Ningbo, ChinaAronian, Movsesian, Akopian, Sargissian, Hovhannisyan[44]
2013 Antalya, TurkeyAronian, Movsesian, Akopian, Sargissian, Petrosian5[87]
2015 Tsakhkadzor, ArmeniaAronian, Sargissian, Movsesian, Akopian, Melkumyan
2017 Khanty-Mansiysk, Russiadid not participate
Women's
YearLocationPlayersPositionRef
2007 Yekaterinburg, RussiaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Aginian, Andriasian, Aghabekian8[88]
2009 Ningbo, ChinaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Aginian, Andriasian5[89]
2011 Mardin, TurkeyDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Kursova, Aginian6[90]
2013 Astana, Kazakhstandid not participate[91]
2015 Chengdu, ChinaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Kursova, Gaboyan7
2017 Khanty-Mansiysk, Russiadid not participate

European Team Championships
Men's
See also: European Team Chess Championship
Armenia vs Azerbaijan at the 2011 European Team Chess Championship. Levon Aronian (left) and Teimour Radjabov (right) pictured in the foreground.
YearLocationPlayersPositionRef
1992 Debrecen, HungaryVaganian, Akopian, Lputian, Minasian, Anastasian19[92]
1997 Pula, CroatiaAkopian, Vaganian, Lputian, Minasian, Anastasian[45]
1999 Batumi, GeorgiaLputian, Minasian, Anastasian, Petrosian[93]
2001 León, Spaindid not participate[94]
2003 Plovdiv, Bulgariadid not participate[95]
2005 Gothenburg, SwedenAkopian, Aronian, Vaganian, Lputian, Anastasian12[96]
2007 Heraklion, GreeceAronian, Akopian, Sargissian, Asrian, Lputian[46]
2009 Novi Sad, SerbiaAronian, Akopian, Sargissian, Pashikian, Petrosian4[97]
2011 Porto Carras, GreeceAronian, Movsesian, Akopian, Sargissian, Hovhannisyan4[98]
2013 Warsaw, PolandAronian, Movsesian, Akopian, Sargissian, Petrosian4[99]
2015 Reykjavik, IcelandAronian, Sargissian, Movsesian, Melkumyan, Grigoryan[46]
2017 Halkidiki, Greece
Women's
YearLocationPlayersPositionRef
1992 Debrecen, HungaryAslanian, Hlgatian, Grigorian19[100]
1997 Pula, CroatiaDanielian, Hlgatian, Mkrtchian5[101]
1999 Batumi, GeorgiaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Hlgatian5[102]
2001 León, Spaindid not participate[103]
2003 Plovdiv, BulgariaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Aginian[104]
2005 Gothenburg, SwedenDanielian, Mkrtchian, Aginian, Andriasian, Galojan6[105]
2007 Heraklion, GreeceDanielian, Mkrtchian, Aginian, Andriasian, Aghabekian[106]
2009 Novi Sad, SerbiaDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Aginian, Andriasian5[107]
2011 Porto Carras, GreeceDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Kursova, Aginian7[108]
2013 Warsaw, PolandDanielian, Mkrtchian, Galojan, Kursova, Hairapetian5[109]

Club championships

In 1995, the Yerevan city club won the European Chess Club Cup men's tournament.[110] In 2006, the Yerevan MIKA club won the European Club Cup women's tournament.[111]

See also

References

Notes

  1. active players only
  2. active female players only

Citations

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  21. United States Chess Federation; Kurzdorfer, Peter (2003). The Everything Chess Basics Book. Avon, Massachusetts: Adams Media. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4405-2229-1. Chess is a descendant of a game called Chaturanga believed to have originated in India in the sixth century and which may have been related to a much older Chinese game.
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