The Stepan Avagyan Memorial has concluded

The 2026 Stepan Avagyan Memorial, organized by the Chess Academy of Armenia, has officially concluded in Jermuk, Armenia.

For nine days, Jermuk became the center of international chess, welcoming ten elite grandmasters for a tournament filled with ambitious preparation, fighting games, and intense competition until the last round.

After 9 rounds of exciting and hard-fought play, the final standings are:
1st place – GM Samuel Sevian from USA, who captured the title for the second time in his career.
2nd place – GM Vladislav Artemiev from Russia, who delivered a strong and consistent performance throughout the tournament.
3rd Place – GM Nihal Sarin from India, who secured a well-deserved podium finish against a world-class field.

The tournament once again brought together outstanding chess talent, honored the memory of Stepan Avagyan, and showcased Armenia’s commitment to hosting elite international chess events.

Thanks to all players, arbiters, organizers, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and chess fans who made this event possible.