GM Tigran L. Petrosian will fill the vacancy in the Armenian National Team after the untimely passing of GM Karen Asrian. This was the decision made by the Armenian Chess Federation.

Thus, the Armenian Men's Team will appear for the Dresden Olympiad 2008 with the following composition: GMs Aronian, Akopian, Sargissian, Art. Minasian, T. L. Petrosian.

The Armenian Women's Team will be represented by WGMs Danielian, Mkrtchian, Aginian, WIMs Galojan, S. Andriasian.
 

WIM Knarik Mouradian scored 6,5 points of 9 and shared the 3rd-5th places in the Lebanon Men's Championship held in Beirut.

Other Armenian chess players, Razmig Oknayan, Kevork Terzian and Krikor Oknayan, scored 5 points each.

The winner was FM Faisal Khairallah with 8,5 points.

49 chess players participated in the event.
 

The "Mika" (Yerevan) team became Armenia Club Champion 2008 in the championship held in Yerevan. GM Sargissian, GM Jobava, GM T. L. Petrosian, GM Pashikian, GM Ara Minasian, WGM Lahno, WGM Mkrtchian, IM Karatorossian played in the composition of "Mika".

Top GMs Carlsen, Aronian, Gelfand will also represent "Mika" at the European Club Cup to be held in October 2008 in Kallithea, Greece.

In the Armenian championshp, the silver medal went to FIMA (GM Z. Andriasian, GM Grigoryan, IM Melkumyan, FM Ter-Sahakyan, IM Hayrapetian, IM Hambardzumian, Khojayan, Akopian).

The bronze medal holder was "Bank King" (GM Vaganian, GM Lputian, GM Arutinian, GM Art. Minasian, GM Kotanjian, GM Anastasian, IM Chibukhchian, Avetisyan).
 

Results
Round 5

Mika - Hrazdan 5:1
FIMA - Bank King 3,5:2,5
Yerevan - Gyumri 3,5:2,5

Final Standing
1. Mika      8 21,5
2. FIMA      8 19
3. Bank King 8 19
4. Hrazdan   4 12
5. Yerevan   2  9,5
6. Gyumri    0  9

Note: In the first colomn are the points scored in the matches and in the second colomn those scored in all games.
 

Results
Round 4

Gyumri             --  Mika                     0,5:5,5
Kalashian    - Jobava          1/2
Simonian     - Petrosian T. L. 0:1
Hovhannisyan - Pashikian       0:1
Mkrtchian S. - Minasian Ara    0:1
Kocharyan    - Lahno           0:1
Tiraturyan   - Mkrtchian L.    0:1

Hrazdan                  --  FIMA                  2:4
Petrosian D. G. - Andriasian Z. 1/2
Babujian        - Grigoryan     1:0
Minasian Ar.    - Melkumyan     0:1
Virabian        - Ter-Sahakyan  0:1

Bank King          --  Yerevan        4:2
Lputian       - Poghosyan 1:0
Arutinian     - Gevorgyan 1:0
Minasian Art. - Manukyan  0:1
Kotanjian     - Inants    1:0
 

Results
Round 3

Yerevan - Hrazdan 2:4

Bank King          --  Gyumri           4,5:1,5
Vaganian      - Kalashian    1:0
Lputian       - Simonian     0:1
Arutinian     - Hovhannisyan 1:0
Minasian Art. - Mkrtchian S. 1/2
Kotanjian     - Matevosian   1:0
Anastasian    - Kocharyan    1:0

FIMA                  --  Mika                     2,5:3,5
Andriasian Z. - Sargissian      1:0
Grigoryan     - Jobava          0:1
Melkumyan     - Petrosian T. L. 1:0
Ter-Sahakyan  - Pashikian       0:1
Hayrapetian   - Minasian Ara    1/2
Hambardzumian - Mkrtchian L.    0:1
 

An international open tournament will be held from June 26 to July 6, 2008, in Jermuk, Armenia. Young chess players from 8 to 20 years of age can participate.

This event by Swiss system, 9 rounds, is organized by the Armenian Chess Academy, Jermuk City Hall and "Jermuk Ashkhar" Health Resort.
 

Levon Aronian will participate in the first Grand Slam Tournament to be held September 1-13, 2008, in Bilbao, Spain. His opponents will be Anand, Ivanchuk, Carlsen, Topalov and Radjabov. This was the composition of the participants confirmed by the organizers of this great event.

The prize fund of the Grand Slam final is 400.000 Euro, with 100.000 Euro going to the winner.
 

Results
Round 2

Hrazdan            --  Bank King        1,5:4,5
Petrosian D. - Arutinian     0:1
Babujian     - Minasian Art. 0:1
Minasyan     - Kotanjian     1/2
Virabian     - Anastasian    0:1

Mika                       --  Yerevan       5:1
Jobava          - Poghosyan 1:0
Petrosian T. L. - Gevorgyan 1:0
Pashikian       - Manukyan  1:0
Minasian Ara    - Inants    1:0
Lahno           - Tovmasian 0:1
Mkrtchian L.    - Tamazyan  1:0

Gyumri              --  FIMA                  2:4
Kalashian    - Andriasian Z. 1/2
Simonian     - Grigoryan     0:1
Hovhannisyan - Melkumyan     1/2
Mkrtchian S. - Ter-Sahakyan  1:0
 

The Bank King - Mika Match

The Armenian Club Championship 2008 commenced in the T. Petrosian Chess House in Yerevan. Six teams participate.

Results
Round 1

Bank King           - Mika                      3,5:2,5
Vaganian      - Sargissian      1/2
Lputian       - Jobava          1/2
Arutinian     - Petrosian T. L. 1/2
Minasian Art. - Pashikian       1/2
Kotanjian     - Minasian Ara    1:0
Anastasian    - Lahno           1/2

Yerevan       -   FIMA                  1:5
Poghosyan - Andriasian Z. 0:1
Gevorgyan - Grigoryan     0:1
Manukyan  - Melkumyan     0:1
Inants    - Ter-Sahakyan  1/2

Hrazdan  -  Gyumri   3,5:2,5
 

At the Presidential Board Meeting in Athens, Greece, a GM title was awarded to Avetik Grigoryan, an IM Title to David Kalashian and an FA title to Norayr Kalantaryan.

Three more Armenian chess players received titles: GM - Vigen Mirumian (Czech Republic), WIM - Karina Ambartsumova (Russia), FA - Sevan Muradian (USA).

Our congratulations!
 

The Chess in Armenia Magazine finished the publication of daily special issues dedicated to the Karen Asrian Memorial.

All the games played, interviews, statistics, photos and many other materials find place in these special issues.

You can subscribe for the Chess in Armenia Magazine for one year (52 issues). For the conditions of subscription, please email us at armchess@arminco.com
 

The Karen Asrian Memorial held in Yerevan these days finished with Levon Aronian's victory. During the closing ceremony President of Republic of Armenia, President of Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsian handed the first prize to Aronian. The President also awarded all other participants of the event.

Results
Round 13
Aronian - Adams       1-0
Gelfand - Sargissian  1-0
Akopian - Bu Xiangzhi 1/2
Leko    - Morozevich  0-1

Round 14
Morozevich  - Leko    1/2
Bu Xiangzhi - Akopian 1/2
Adams       - Aronian 1/2
Sargissian  - Gelfand 0-1

Final Standing
1. Aronian Levon        ARM 2763 8,5
2. Leko Peter           HUN 2741 8
3. Morozevich Alexander RUS 2774 7,5
4. Gelfand Boris        ISR 2723 7,5
5. Bu Xiangzhi          CHN 2708 7
6. Sargissian Gabriel   ARM 2643 6,5
7. Adams Michael        ENG 2729 6
8. Akopian Vladimir     ARM 2673 5
 

Armenian GM Tigran L. Petrosian scored 5 points of 6 and shared the 1st-6th places with GMs Kamsky, Fressinet, Kolev, IMs Finegold, Friedel in the National Open held in Las Vegas, NV, USA. GM Melikset Khachiyan was half a points behind the leaders and took the 8th place.

100 players participated in the event.
 

The Chess in Armenia Magazine publishes daily special issues dedicated to the Karen Asrian Memorial.

All the games played, interviews, statistics, photos and many other materials find place in these special issues.

You can subscribe for the Chess in Armenia Magazine for one year (52 issues). For the conditions of subscription, please email us at armchess@arminco.com
 

Results
Round 11
Adams       - Gelfand 1-0
Bu Xiangzhi - Aronian 1/2
Sargissian  - Leko    1/2
Morozevich  - Akopian 1/2

Round 12
Leko    - Sargissian  1/2
Aronian - Bu Xiangzhi 1/2
Gelfand - Adams       1/2
Akopian - Morozevich  0-1

Standing after Round 12
1. Leko Peter           7,5
2. Aronian Levon        7
3. Sargissian Gabriel   6,5
4. Bu Xiangzhi          6
5. Morozevich Alexander 6
6. Adams Michael        5,5
7. Gelfand Boris        5,5
8. Akopian Vladimir     4

You can follow the games of the memorial on our website on June 15 from 18:00 (Yerevan time). Online
 

Results
Round 7
Adams      - Leko        0-1
Gelfand    - Akopian     1-0
Sargissian - Aronian     1/2
Morozevich - Bu Xiangzhi 1/2

Round 8
Bu Xiangzhi - Morozevich 1-0
Aronian     - Sargissian 1/2
Leko        - Adams      1/2
Akopian     - Gelfand    0-1

Round 9
Leko        - Gelfand    1-0
Aronian     - Morozevich 1-0
Bu Xiangzhi - Adams      1-0
Akopian     - Sargissian 1/2

Round 10
Sargissian - Akopian     1/2
Gelfand    - Leko        1/2
Morozevich - Aronian     1/2
Adams      - Bu Xiangzhi 1/2

Standing after Round 10
1. Leko Peter           6,5
2. Aronian Levon        6
3. Sargissian Gabriel   5,5
4. Bu Xiangzhi          5
5. Gelfand Boris        5
6. Morozevich Alexander 4,5
7. Adams Michael        4
8. Akopian Vladimir     3,5

You can follow the games of the memorial on our website on June 14 and 15 from 18:00 (Yerevan time). Online
 

The Chess in Armenia Magazine publishes daily special issues dedicated to the Karen Asrian Memorial.

All the games played, interviews, statistics, photos and many other materials find place in these special issues.

You can subscribe for the Chess in Armenia Magazine for one year (52 issues). For the conditions of subscription, please email us at armchess@arminco.com
 

Results
Round 3
Sargissian - Morozevich  1/2
Adams      - Akopian     1/2
Leko       - Aronian     1/2
Gelfand    - Bu Xiangzhi 1/2

Round 4
Morozevich  - Sargissian 0:1
Aronian     - Leko       1/2
Akopian     - Adams      0:1
Bu Xiangzhi - Gelfand    0:1

Round 5
Morozevich  - Adams      1-0
Aronian     - Gelfand    1-0
Akopian     - Leko       1/2
Bu Xiangzhi - Sargissian 1/2

Round 6
Sargissian - Bu Xiangzhi 1/2
Leko       - Akopian     1/2
Adams      - Morozevich  1/2
Gelfand    - Aronian     1/2

Standing after Round 6
1. Sargissian Gabriel   3,5
2. Morozevich Alexander 3,5
3. Aronian Levon        3,5
4. Leko Peter           3,5
5. Adams Michael        3
6. Akopian Vladimir     2,5
7. Gelfand Boris        2,5
8. Bu Xiangzhi          2

You can follow the games of the memorial on our website on June 13, starting from 16:00, and on June 14 and 15 from 18:00 (Yerevan time). Online
 

The funeral of GM Karen Asrian was conducted on June 11, in Yerevan.

President of RA Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister of RA Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of Parliament of RA Tigran Torosyan, participants of the GM tournament held in Yerevan, thousands of chess lovers were present at the funeral service conducted in the T. Petrosian Chess House.
 

The Armenian Chess Federation has made a decision to rename the "Chess Giants Yerevan-2008" tournament held in Yerevan these days to Karen Asrian Memorial. Karen Asrian Memorials will become traditional.

The decision was signed by President of RA, President of Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsyan.

We remind that Karen Asrian Memorial re-starts on June 12.

You can follow the games of the memorial on our website on June 12 and 13, starting from 16:00, and on June 14 and 15 from 18:00 (Yerevan time). Online
 

We continue receiving condolences from different edges of the world, in particular from:

FIDE Vice President Mohamed Al Hitmi (Qatar)
Chess Federation of Georgia
Dr. Dirk J. A. De Ridder (Belgium)
GM Giorgi Bagaturov (Georgia)
IM Tigran Gharamian (France)
Takvor Magadis (France)
Garen Kokciyan (Italy)
Razmik Hartunian-Tahmasians (Austria)
Meri Grigoryan (England)
Lusine Ovanisian (Belgium)
 

The Chess in Armenia Magazine publishes daily special issues dedicated to the "Chess Giants" tournament.

All the games played, interviews, statistics, photos and many other materials find place in these special issues.

You can subscribe for the Chess in Armenia Magazine for one year (52 issues). For the conditions of subscription, please email us at armchess@arminco.com
 

After a two-day break, the "Chess Giants Yerevan - 2008" tournament will re-start on June 12, in the A. Spendiarian Opera and Ballet Theatre building.

You can follow the games of the "Chess Giants" tournament on our website on June 12 and 13, starting from 16:00, and on June 14 and 15 from 18:00 (Yerevan time). Online
 

Many condolence messages have been received on GM Karen Asrian's death, in particular, from:

FIDE Vice President Zurab Azmaiparashvili (Georgia)
ECU President Boris Kutin (Slovenia)
Polina Tsedenova, Kema Goryaeva (FIDE)
Bischwiller Chess Club (France)
Chessdom.com team
Baltic Sea Chess Association
Tbilisi Chess Federation (Georgia)
GMs Almasi (Hungary), Jobava (Georgia), Akobian, Khachiyan (USA), Sadvakasov (Kazakhstan), Potkin, Grigoriants, Najer, Motylev, Kobalia, Dobrov, Belov (Russia)
Keshishian, Ambartsoumian, Shaboyan and Los Angeles chess community (USA)
Nona, Narine, Yuri Karakashians (USA), Sarkis Agaian (USA)
Sarkis Kavoukjian (Canada)
Yerazik Khachatourian, Tarjei J. Svensen (Norway)
Esteban Saatdjian (France)
Vrej Aprahamian (Lebanon)
Arno Garabedian (Turkey)
Valery Tsatourian, Andranik Levonian (Russia)
and many others.

Condolence letters continue to come. Thank you for being with us this hard moment of a great loss.
 

On June 9, 2008, in Yerevan, at the age of 28, three-time Armenian Champion, Turin World Olympiad Champion in the composition of Armenian Team, many-time prize-holder of World and European Championships, Grandmaster Karen Asrian passed away untimely.
 

The rounds of June 10 and June 11 of the "Chess Giants" tournament in Yerevan are postponed because of the sudden death of GM Karen Asrian. The tournament will continue on June 12.
 

The International Open Rapid Tournament scheduled for June 12-15, 2008, in Yerevan, parallel to "Chess Giants Yerevan - 2008", is cancelled in connection with the death of GM Karen Asrian.
 

Results
Round 1
Sargissian  - Adams   1/2
Morozevich  - Gelfand 1-0
Bu Xiangzhi - Leko    1/2
Aronian     - Akopian 1/2

Round 2
Adams   - Sargissian  1/2
Leko    - Bu Xiangzhi 1-0
Gelfand - Morozevich  1/2
Akopian - Aronian     1/2
 

On June 8, 2008, the participants of the "Chess Giants" tournament laid flowers on the Tigran Petrosian Memorial near the Chess House named after the 9th World Champion in Yerevan. Then the opening ceremony of the event was held in the Chess House where Prime Minister of Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan welcomed the participants, guests and chess lovers with his speech.

The pairing gave the following results:

1. Sargissian
2. Morozevich
3. Bu Xiangzhi
4. Aronian
5. Akopian
6. Leko
7. Gelfand
8. Adams

You can follow the games of the "Chess Giants" tournament on our website, from June 9 to 15, 2008. Start of the games at 18:00 and at 19:30 (Yerevan time). Online
 

The "Chess Giants Yerevan 2008" rapid tournament will be held in the A. Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Theatre in Yerevan from June 9 to 15, 2008. Two rounds will be held every day. The first game of each day will start at 18:00 (Yerevan time).

The opening ceremony will be held in the T. Petrosian Chess House on June 8, 2008, at 19:00 (Yerevan time).

The chief arbiter of the event is IA Ashot Vardapetian (Yerevan).

The breakdown of the total prize fund of 262,000 USD is as follows:

1st place 70,000 USD
2nd place 50,000 USD
3rd place 40,000 USD
4th place 30,000 USD
5th place 25,000 USD
6th place 20,000 USD
7th place 15,000 USD
8th place 12,000 USD

We remind that GMs Adams, Akopian, Aronian, Bu Xiangzhi, Gelfand, Leko, Morozevich, Sargissian will participate in the event.
 

Armenian GMs Tigran L. Petrosian and Varuzhan Akobian won in the first round of the International Chess Festival held in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

84 chess players participated in the tournament.
 

This book by Gaguik Oganessian is dedicated to the achievements of the Armenian National Teams at the European Men's and Women's Chess Championships in 2007 in Heraklion, Greece.

As an eye-witness, the author presents interesting snatches from the event, details of performances of Armenian players. All games played by Armenian representatives, remarkable information materials, numerous photos found place in this book.

A review of previous European Championships and in particular the play of Armenian representatives in them is done, too.

The book is intended for a wide audience of chess lovers.

Those wishing to acquire this book and/or our other publications (see the complete list here), please email us at armchess@arminco.com
 

The team of young Armenian chess players scored 36 points of 45 and took the first place in the "Chernobil Children" International Olympiad held in Anapa, Russia.

Robert Aghasaryan, Karen Grigoryan, Khachatur Eranyan, Hovhannes Gabuzyan, Maria Gevorgyan played in the composition of the winning team.
 

Armenian chess player Irina Galstian scored 8,5 points of 9 and became Russian U8 Girls Champion in the tournament held in Kostroma, Russia. Pavel Chilingarian scored 8 points and took the second prize in the U8 Boys Tournament.
 

This book by Gaguik Oganessian is created on the occasion of a great chess event, the "Chess Giants Yerevan 2008" tournament. The book contains brief biographic details of the eight participating prominent Grandmasters, statistics on their previous meetings, all rapid games ever played between them, numerous photos, statistical materials.

This colored book is intended for a wide audience of chess lovers.

Those wishing to acquire this book and/or our other publications (see the complete list here), please email us at armchess@arminco.com
 

Results of Round 11
Portisch  - Sokolov   1/2
Andersson - Beliavsky 1/2
Mecking   - Suba      1/2
Vaganian  - Khalifman 1/2
Timman    - Murariu   0:1

Final Standing
 1. Short Nigel         7
 2. Portisch Lajos      5,5
 3. Andersson Ulf       5,5
 4. Suba Mihai          5
 5. Beliavsky Alexander 5
 6. Khalifman Alexander 5
 7. Mecking Henrique    5
 8. Murariu Andrei      5
 9. Sokolov Andrei      4
10. Vaganian Rafael     4
11. Timman Jan          4
 

The "Chess Giants Yerevan 2008" rapid tournament will be held in the A. Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Theatre in Yerevan from June 9 to 15, 2008. Two rounds will be held every day. The first game of each day will start at 18:00 (Yerevan time).

The opening ceremony will be held in the T. Petrosian Chess House on June 8, 2008, at 19:00 (Yerevan time).

The chief arbiter of the event is IA Ashot Vardapetian (Yerevan).

The breakdown of the total prize fund of 262,000 USD is as follows:

1st place 70,000 USD
2nd place 50,000 USD
3rd place 40,000 USD
4th place 30,000 USD
5th place 25,000 USD
6th place 20,000 USD
7th place 15,000 USD
8th place 12,000 USD

We remind that GMs Adams, Akopian, Aronian, Bu Xiangzhi, Gelfand, Leko, Morozevich, Sargissian will participate in the event.
 

The team of the Yeghishe Manukian Armenian College became Champions of Lebanon pupils. Another Armenian school team of Tchemaran took the bronze medal.

Meantime, WIM Knarik Mouradian won in the Lebanon Women Championship 2008. The second prize went to Knarik's sister, Susan Mouradian.
 

Armenian GM Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia) scored 5 points of 10 and took the third prize in the Bosna-2008 Tournament in Sarajevo, Bosnia&Herzegovina. GM Alexander Morozevich (Russia) won with 7,5 points.
 

Results of Round 10
Suba      - Short     1/2
Khalifman - Portisch  1/2
Beliavsky - Timman    1/2
Murariu   - Mecking   1:0
Sokolov   - Andersson 1/2
 

Results of Round 9
Short     - Murariu   1:0
Mecking   - Beliavsky 0:1
Portisch  - Vaganian  1/2
Andersson - Khalifman 1/2
Timman    - Sokolov   1:0
 

Before the last round of the Bosna-2008 Tournament in Sarajevo, GM Alexander Morozevich (Russia) has secured his first place with 7 points of 9. Armenian GM Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia) is the third with 4,5 points.
 

Results of Round 8
Khalifman - Timman    1/2
Beliavsky - Short     1/2
Sokolov   - Mecking   1/2
Murariu   - Suba      1/2
Vaganian  - Andersson 1/2