Welcome to the Petrosian Memorial Open

27 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
The Petrosian Memorial Open ended with the victory of Russian Grandmaster Pavel Smirnov. The second prize went to the participant with the highest rating in the tournament, Vassily Ivanchuk. The next places were divided between ten players at once. And Karen Asrian was the one to win the third prize. In the evening of November 27 the closing ceremony of the open tournament and celebrations dedicated to Tigran Petrosian were held. Further news will be available in our next issue.

And on November 28-29 the European Rapid Chess Championship will be held in Yerevan, which is devoted to memory of Tigran Petrosian, too.

26 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
Before the last round of the Petrosian Memorial a sole leader appeared. It’s the Russian Grandmaster Pavel Smirnov. His tournament fate is of interest. After loosing most unexpectedly to Georgian chess player Shota Azaladze in the first round, Smirnov appeared in the last part of the score-table. But then Smirnov had six victories in succession. And the most important was his victory over the Number 1 favorite of the tournament Vassily Ivanchuk in Round 8.

Another Russian representative, International Master Dmitry Frolyanov performs very successfully, too. But seven other chess players still have the chance to take the highest places as well. 

The last round will also give an answer to the question who of the participants have fulfilled Grandmaster or International Master norms. A great number of young players claim to such an achievement. So the arbiters will have their hands full.

25 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
Yesterday Vardan Petrosian, the son of the 9th World Champion, arrived in Yerevan from Moscow. He will take part in the ceremony of putting the first stone in the base of his father’s Monument and other jubilee festivities.

And today we expect another honored guest, President of the European Chess Union Boris Kutin. After participation in the celebrations dedicated to Petrosian, he will be present at the European Rapid Chess Championship.

24 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
Tigran is one of the most popular Armenian names. Parents often call their children Tigran in honor of Tigran Petrosian. These boys, especially if their family name is Petrosian, play chess well and sometimes become professional players. Among the participants of this Memorial is, for instance, Tigran A. Petrosian. And young Tigran L. Petrosian is already a known Grandmaster. These days he is in India, participating in the World Junior Championship, and is among the leaders of the event.

23 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
The events dedicated to the 9th World Chess Champion in 2004 will not be limited to the Tigran Petrosian Memorial. In the middle of December an interesting Internet tournament with participation of strongest chess players from Armenia, Russia, China, France will be organized by the initiative of the Armenian Chess Federation and the Armenian “Chess” Academy. Thus, the “Tigran Petrosian Year” declared by the FIDE continues. However, Petrosian is such a great chess player that he is recalled and his creations are studied irrespective of jubilees.

22 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
As an Open Tournament, the Tigran Petrosian Memorial is held in Yerevan for the first time. However, events dedicated to memory of the 9th World Chess Champion have been held in the capital of Armenia since 1984. It was just this year that the prominent Grandmaster passed away so untimely, at the age of 55. Both in 1984 and in future events the tournaments were held by the Round Robin system. Last time a similar international competition was organized in Yerevan in 1996, before the commence of the World Chess Olympiad.

And so this year the tradition is re-established in a new way. The Petrosian Memorial is held by a Swiss system, and everyone wishing is able to participate in it.

21 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
By tradition, the Chess in Armenia Magazine issues special daily bulletins for the Tigran Petrosian Memorial. With the help of the official website of the Armenian Chess Federation and Chess in Armenia Magazine chess fans  from all over the world can follow the course of the Tigran Petrosian Memorial. In the website one can find the pairings, results, standings, games of the rounds. Photos, many other materials on the event and about Tigran Petrosian are also published here.

20 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
The Petrosian Memorial is held at the Chess House named after the great Grandmaster. In Yerevan there are also other hearths immortalizing the memory of the 9th World Champion. Petrosian’s bust is raised near the Chess House. One of the longest streets in Yerevan bears the name of Petrosian. Soon Tigran Petrosian’s monument will be erected in this street.

19 November, 2004
DEAR CHESS FRIENDS
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially announced the year of 2004 as “Tigran Petrosian Year” in celebration of the 75th Birthday Anniversary of the 9th World Champion Tigran Petrosian. During the year many interesting tournaments were held in different countries of the world honoring the anniversary of Great Champion.

Among the events dedicated to Petrosian, the festival commenced in Yerevan is of special importance. Tigran Petrosian is one of the most prominent and beloved sons of the Armenian nation. In Armenia, there is no hearth, where the celebrated chess player is not known or loved.

The festival is composed of two great competitions: International Open Tournament and European Rapid Chess Championship. Chess battles will be held at one of the most beautiful buildings in the center of Yerevan, which bears the name of Tigran Petrosian.

The Chess in Armenia Magazine starts the publication of special daily bulletins devoted to the Petrosian Memorial. The most interesting games, many other materials will find place in the bulletins.

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Website: www.armchess.am

© Chess in Armenia Magazine, 2004