Chess Federation of Armenia
In 1927, the Chess Federation of Armenia was founded as a chess section. In 1959, it became a Federation.
The Chess Federation of Armenia is an organization that develops chess in Armenia. Organizes Armenian men's and women's individual championships, various international tournaments, forms Armenian men's and women's teams. Forms committees that coordinate various fields of chess and make relevant decisions.
The President of the Chess Federation of Armenia since 2004 is the 3rd President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. He was re-elected in 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2022.
The country's first championship was held in 1934. Henrik Gasparyan became the first champion of Armenia. Later he became national champion nine more times. Gasparyan is the first Armenian master, the first grandmaster in the world in the field of chess composition.
84 men's and 79 women's championships of Armenia have been held so far. Tigran Petrosyan, the 9th champion of the world, was declared a three-time champion of Armenia.
Armenia has been a member of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) since 1992. From that year onwards the biggest accomplishments of Armenian chess players in the international arena have begun.
With a population of about three million, Armenia is considered one of the strongest chess countries in the world. Armenia is one of the countries with the most grandmasters per capita in the world. Armenia is among the top ten countries in the world according to the average ratings of the top 10 chess players.
There is a big number of major international tournaments, world and European youth championships which have been held in Armenia. In 1996, the 32nd Chess Olympiad was held in Yerevan, the World Team Championships were held in Armenia in 2001 and 2015, Yerevan hosted the European Individual Championship in 2014. FIDE Grand Prix series tournaments were held in Armenia.
Since 1970, the chess house has been operating in Yerevan. The chess house has been named after Tigran Petrosyan since 1984.
In 1971, the specialized chess school named after Henrik Gasparyan was founded.
In 2002, the Chess Academy of Armenia was founded, which now has 55 branches. The Armenian Chess Federation is located in the Chess Academy of Armenia, which is located on Shevchenko street.
There are specialized chess schools in all communities of Yerevan. Since 2011, chess has been included among the program subjects in all public schools of the Republic of Armenia.
Successes of Armenian Chess Players
In 1962, Tigran Petrosian won the candidates tournament and earned the right to play with Mikhail Botvinnik for the title of world champion. After the draw in the 22nd game, Tigran Petrosian became the world champion. In 1966, “Iron Tigran” also retained his title, in a match with Boris Spassky. Those greatest achievements not only inspired all Armenians of the world but also served as a stimulus for the development of chess in Armenia. The "Tigran period" of Armenian chess began.
The Armenian men's team became the champion of the Chess Olympiad in 2006, 2008 and 2012. In 2006, the team members were Levon Aronian, Vladimir Akopian, Karen Asrian, Smbat Lputian, Gabriel Sargissian, and Artashes Minasian. In 2008, the team members were Levon Aronian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, Tigran L. Petrosian, and Artashes Minasian. In 2012, the team members were Levon Aronian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, and Tigran L. Petrosian.
In 2022, the team took second place. The team members were Gabriel Sargissian, Hrant Melkumyan, Samvel Ter-Sahakyan, Manuel Petrosyan, and Robert Hovhannisyan.
In 1992, 2002 and 2004, the team won bronze medals. In 1992, the members of the team were Rafael Vaganian, Vladimir Akopian, Smbat Lputian, Artashes Minasian, Arshak Petrosian, and Ashot Anastasian. In 2002, the members of the team were Vladimir Akopian, Smbat Lputian, Karen Asrian, Gabriel Sargissian, Artashes Minasian, and Ashot Anastasian. In 2004, the members of the team were Vladimir Akopian, Levon Aronian, Rafael Vaganian, Smbat Lputian, Gabriel Sargissian, and Artashes Minasian.
In 2011, Armenian chess players won the World Team Championship. The team members were Levon Aronian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, and Robert Hovhannisyan.
They won bronze medals four times in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2015. In 1997, the members of the team were Vladimir Akopian, Rafael Vaganian, Smbat Lputian, Artashes Minasian, Ashot Anastasian, and Melikset Khachiyan. In 2001, the members of the team were Vladimir Akopian, Rafael Vaganian, Smbat Lputian, Karen Asrian, Ashot Anastasian, and Artashes Minasian. In 2005, the team members were Levon Aronian, Vladimir Akopian, Karen Asrian, Rafael Vaganian, Smbat Lputian, and Ashot Anastasian. In 2015, the team members were Levon Aronian, Gabriel Sargissian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, and Hrant Melkumyan.
In 1999, the Armenian men's team won the title of champion in the European team championship. The team members were Smbat Lputian, Artashes Minasian, Ashot Anastasian, Levon Aronian, and Arshak Petrosian. In 2007 and 2015, the team won silver medals. In 2007, the team members were Levon Aronian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, Karen Asandrian, and Smbat Lputian. In 2015, the team members were Levon Aronian, Gabriel Sargissian, Sergey Movsesian, Hrant Melkumyan, and Karen H. Grigoryan.
In 1997 and 2023, the team took third place. In 1997, the team members were Vladimir Akopian, Rafael Vaganian, Smbat Lputian, Artashes Minasian, and Ashot Anastasian. In 2023, the team members were Haik Martirosyan, Gabriel Sargissian, Hrant Melkumyan, Shant Sargsyan, Samvel Ter-Sahakyan.
In 2003, the Armenian women's team won the title of champion in the European team championship. The team members were Elina Danielian, Lilit Mkrtchian, and Nelly Aginian. In 2007, the team won the bronze medal. The team members were Elina Danielian, Lilit Mkrtchian, Nelly Aginian, Siranush Andriasian, and Liana Aghabekian.
In 1995, the "Yerevan" team, consisting exclusively of Armenian chess players, became the winner of the European Cup. In 2006, Yerevan "Mika" women's team was declared the women’s European Cup winner.
In 2005 and 2017, Levon Aronian won the World Cup.
In 2004 and 2005, Levon Aronian took third place in the European Individual Championship. In 2022, in the same tournament, Gabriel Sargsyan took second place.
In 2021, Elina Danielian won the title of champion in the European Women's Individual Championship. In 2002 and 2009, Lilit Mkrtchian took second place. Elina Danielian won bronze medals in 2006 and 2011. In 2013, Lilit Mkrtchyan also won the bronze medal in the same tournament.
In 2010, Levon Aronian won the World Blitz Chess Championship gold medal. In 2022, Haik Martirosyan took third place in the same tournament.
In 2018, Karen Movsziszian won the title of champion in the World Senior Chess Championship (50+).
In 2019, Rafael Vaganian won the title of champion in the World Senior Chess Championship (65+).
In 2019, Gabriel Sargissian became the winner of the European Rapid Chess Championship. In 2022, Shant Sargsyan won the bronze medal at the European Blitz Chess championship.
In 2023, the Armenian team represented by Elina Danielian and Shant Sargsyan won the gold medal in the European Pairs Chess Championship.
World and European Junior Chess Champions
World Junior Chess Champions:
Boys under 20 - Levon Aronian (2002)
Boys under 20 - Zaven Andriasian (2006)
Boys under 18 - Vladimir Akopian (1989)
Boys under 18 - Samvel Ter-Sahakyan (2011)
Boys under 18 - Manuel Petrosyan (2016)
Boys under 16 - Vladimir Akopian (1986)
Boys under 16 - Haik Martirosyan (2016)
Boys under 16 - Shant Sargsyan (2018)
Boys under 14 - Gabriel Sargissian (1996)
Boys under 12 - Levon Aronian (1994)
Boys under 12 - Robert Aghasaryan (2006)
Boys under 12 - Aram Hakobyan (2013)
Girls under 18 - Mariam Mkrtchyan (2022)
Girls under 16 - Elina Danielian (1993)
Girls under 14 - Elina Danielian (1992)
European Junior Chess Champions:
Boys under 20 - Levon Aronian (1998)
Boys under 18 - Samvel Ter-Sahakyan (2009)
Boys under 18 - Manuel Petrosyan (2016)
Boys under 16 - Gabriel Sargissian (1998)
Boys under 16 - Zaven Andriasian (2005)
Boys under 16 - Armen Barseghyan (2019)
Boys under 12 - Haik Martirosyan (2011)
Boys under 12 - Haik Martirosyan (2012)
Boys under 12 - Mamikon Gharibyan (2016)
Boys under 10 - Samvel Ter-Sahakyan (2003)
Boys under 10 - Robert Aghasaryan (2004)
Boys under 10 - Mamikon Gharibyan (2014)
Girls under 18 - Sona Asatryan (2017)
Girls under 18 - Mariam Mkrtchyan (2022)
Champions of the Armenian Men's Chess Championship
1 - 1934 Genrikh Kasparian
2 - 1938 Genrikh Kasparian, Alexander Dolukhanian
3 - 1939 Alexander Dolukhanian
4 - 1941 Loris Kalashian, Vazgen Karapetian
5 - 1945 Alexander Kalantar
6 - 1946 Tigran Petrosian
7 - 1947 Tigran Petrosian, Genrikh Kasparian
8 - 1948 Tigran Petrosian, Genrikh Kasparian
9 - 1949 Genrikh Kasparian
10 - 1950 Genrikh Kasparian
11 - 1951 Genrikh Kasparian
12 - 1952 Vladimir Goldin
13 - 1953 Artsrun Sargsian
14 - 1954 Genrikh Kasparian
15 - 1955 Genrikh Kasparian
16 - 1956 Genrikh Kasparian
17 - 1957 Nikolay Miasnikov
18 - 1958 Eduard Mnatsakanian
19 - 1959 Eduard Mnatsakanian
20 - 1960 Eduard Mnatsakanian
21 - 1961 Vanik Zakarian, Artsrun Sargsian
22 - 1962 Eduard Mnatsakanian
23 - 1963 Adolph Demirkhanian
24 - 1964 Levon Grigorian
25 - 1965 Adolph Demirkhanian
26 - 1966 Levon Grigorian
27 - 1967 Eduard Mnatsakanian
28 - 1968 Levon Grigorian
29 - 1969 Levon Grigorian, Karen A. Grigorian
30 - 1970 Karen A. Grigorian
31 - 1971 Levon Grigorian
32 - 1972 Levon Grigorian, Karen A. Grigorian
33 - 1973 Albert Arutiunov
34 - 1974 Arshak Petrosian
35 - 1975 Vahagn Voskanian
36 - 1976 Arshak Petrosian, Vanik Zakarian, Gagik Akopian
37 - 1977 Albert Arutiunov
38 - 1978 Smbat Lputian
39 - 1979 Slavik Movsisian
40 - 1980 Smbat Lputian
41 - 1981 Vladimir Shaboian, Karen Movsisian
42 - 1982 Hrachik Tavadian
43 - 1983 Ashot Anastasian
44 - 1984 Vladimir Shaboian
45 - 1985 Ashot Anastasian
46 - 1986 Ashot Anastasian
47 - 1987 Ashot Anastasian
48 - 1988 Ashot Anastasian
49 - 1989 Armen Ambartsoumian
50 - 1990 Artashes Minasian
51 - 1991 Sergey Galdunts
52 - 1992 Ashot Anastasian, Artashes Minasian
53 - 1993 Artashes Minasian
54 - 1994 Ashot Anastasian
55 - 1995 Artashes Minasian
56 - 1996 Vladimir Akopian
57 - 1997 Vladimir Akopian
58 - 1998 Smbat Lputian
59 - 1999 Karen Asrian
60 - 2000 Gabriel Sargissian
61 - 2001 Smbat Lputian
62 - 2002 Levon Aronian
63 - 2003 Gabriel Sarissian
64 - 2004 Artashes Minasian
65 - 2005 Ashot Anastasian
66 - 2006 Artashes Minasian
67 - 2007 Karen Asrian
68 - 2008 Karen Asrian
69 - 2009 Arman Pashikian
70 - 2010 Avetik Grigoryan
71 - 2011 Robert Hovhannisyan
72 - 2012 Tigran L. Petrosian
73 - 2013 Tigran L. Petrosian
74 - 2014 Tigran Kotanjian
75 - 2015 Karen H. Grigoryan
76 - 2016 Zaven Andriasian
77 - 2017 Hovhannes Gabuzyan
78 - 2018 Haik Martirosyan
79 - 2019 Arman Pashikian
80 - 2020 Samvel Ter-Sahakyan
81 - 2021 Hovhannes Gabuzyan
82 - 2022 Manuel Petrosyan
83 - 2023 Samvel Ter-Sahakyan
84 - 2024 Robert Hovhannisyan
Champions of the Armenian Women's Chess Championship
1 - 1934 Sirush Makints, Margarita Mirza-Avagian
2 - 1939 Lusik Kalashian
3 - 1941 Silva Karapetian
4 - 1949 Alis Aslanyan
5 - 1950 Rima Manukian
6 - 1951 Marieta Melik-Pashaian
7 - 1952 Marieta Melik-Pashaian
8 - 1953 Nefelina Marjanian
9 - 1954 Nefelina Marjanian
10 - 1955 Rima Manukian
11 - 1956 Marlena Vardanian
12 - 1957 Galina Lyapunova
13 - 1958 Galina Lyapunova
14 - 1959 Galina Lyapunova
15 - 1960 Galina Lyapunova
16 - 1961 Galina Lyapunova
17 - 1962 Marlena Vardanian
18 - 1963 Venera Boiakhchian
19 - 1964 Marlena Vardanian, Tamara Boiakhchian
20 - 1965 Tamara Boiakhchian, Venera Boiakhchian
21 - 1966 Tamara Boiakhchian
22 - 1967 Armenuhi Mehrabian
23 - 1968 Tamara Baiakhchian, Venera Boiakhchian
24 - 1969 Tamara Boiakhchian
25 - 1970 Naira Agababean
26 - 1971 Tamara Boiakhchian
27 - 1972 Tamara Boiakhchian, Anna Hakobian
28 - 1973 Vera Ghazarian
29 - 1974 Vera Ghazarian
30 - 1975 Erna Khalafian
31 - 1976 Anna Hakobian
32 - 1977 Hasmik Babaian
33 - 1978 Anna Hakobian
34 - 1979 Erna Khalafian
35 - 1980 Mary Mangrian
36 - 1981 Erna Khalafian
37 - 1982 Mary Mangrian
38 - 1983 Erna Khalafian
39 - 1984 Lyudmila Aslanian
40 - 1985 Nune Abrahamian
41 - 1986 Lyudmila Aslanian
42 - 1987 Lyudmila Aslanian
43 - 1988 Erna Khalafian
44 - 1989 Erna Khalafian
45 - 1990 Erna Khalafian
46 - 1991 Lyudmila Aslanian
47 - 1992 Lyudmila Aslanian
48 - 1993 Elina Danielian
49 - 1994 Elina Danielian
50 - 1995 Lilit Mkrtchian
51 - 1996 Gohar Hlghatian
52 - 1997 Gohar Hlghatian
53 - 1998 Lilit Mkrtchian
54 - 1999 Elina Danielian
55 - 2000 Lilit Mkrtchian
56 - 2001 Gohar Hlghatian
57 - 2002 Elina Danielian
58 - 2003 Elina Danielian
59 - 2004 Elina Danielian
60 - 2005 Lilit Mkrtchian
61 - 2006 Siranush Andriasian
62 - 2007 Siranush Andriasian
63 - 2008 Lilit Galojan
64 - 2009 Lilit Galojan
65 - 2010 Anahit Kharatyan
66 - 2011 Siranush Andriasian
67 - 2012 Maria Kursova
68 - 2013 Anna Hairapetian
69 - 2014 Shushanna Sargsyan
70 - 2015 Susanna Gaboyan
71 - 2016 Maria Gevorgyan
72 - 2017 Maria Gevorgyan
73 - 2018 Maria Kursova
74 - 2019 Maria Gevorgyan
75 - 2020 Maria Gevorgyan
76 - 2021 Susanna Gaboyan
77 - 2022 Mariam Mkrtchyan
78 - 2023 Maria Gevorgyan
79 - 2024 Susanna Gaboyan