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Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Armenia GM Hrant Melkumyan wins Teplice Chess Open 2014
Hello chess blog friends, some more chess tournament news via FIDE: The spa town of Teplice, in the Czech Republic, hosted the IX Annual International Chess Tournament Open Teplice 2014. The winner was GM Hrant Melkumyan from Armenia with 8/9 points. Second place went to GM Daniel Naroditsky from USA. In third place was Eduard Andreev from Ukraine. The tournament had participants from 23 countries and included 15 Grandmasters and 16 International Masters. You can find more information on the official website: www.openteplice.cz.
Open Teplice - 1. GM Hrant Melkumyan, 2. Daniel Naroditsky, 3. GM Eduard Andreev.
Teplice (Teplice-Šanov until 1948) is a nice chess city and located in northwestern Bohemia near the border with the German state of Saxony. Maybe you should consider playing your next chess event in the Czech Republic.
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014
Hello everyone,
The Armenian Chess Federation under the auspices of the European Chess Union is organizing the 2014 European Individual Chess Championship – Tigran Petrosian Memorial on 2-15th March 2014.
The Championship will be held at the Yerevan Business Centre in Armenian capitol.
The European Individual Chess Championship is open to all players representing Chess Federations which comprise the European Chess Union (FIDE zones 1.1 to 1.10) regardless of their title or rating. There is also no limit in the number of participants per federation; however applications have to be sent by the national federations only.
The European Individual Championship 2014 is a qualification event for the next World Cup. According to FIDE regulations and the decision of the ECU Board, 23 players will qualify.
The championship will be organized in 11-round Swiss system in accordance with the ECU Tournament Rules and FIDE Laws of Chess.
The rate of play will be 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from move one.
The ECU Rule related to dress code – Chapter B Article 13 – will be applied at this competition.
The prize fund of 160,000 EUR will be distributed to 25 regular and 15 special (performance minus rating) prizes. Top prizes are EUR 20 000, 16 000, 14 000, 12 000, 10 000 etc.
Entry form, sent by the organizers, should be filled in and resent to the e-mail or fax of the Armenian Chess Federation not later than January 15, 2014, only by the national federations. This date is the registration deadline. After that, federations will not be able to register or modify any registrations. After this date all the registrations have to be confirmed by the ECU.
In accordance with the ECU regulations, GM, IM, FM (as well as WGM, WIM, WFM) are required to pay a fee in the amount of 65 €/person, while other players are obliged to make the payment of 130 €/person for the fee.
Participants can obtain all necessary information through Armenian Chess Federation E-mail: armchess@arminco.com Fax: (374) 10570758 Address:50, Khandjian Str.,0025, Yerevan, Armenia
Andranik Margaryan Chess Memorial begins in Armenia
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
The latest FIDE chess news update is about the Andranik Margaryan Chess Memorial that is being held in Armenia. The Chess Academy of Armenia (photo credit) is organizing the 2014 Andranik Margaryan Memorial on 8-15 January at the Armenian Chess Academy.
The main event is the 10-player round robin tournament for the Grandmaster norm. Among the participants is the new World U18 champion IM Idani Pouya from Iran.
GM Wen Yang CHN 2592 GM Goganov Aleksey RUS 2581 IM Artemiev Vladislav RUS 2570 GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes ARM 2538 GM Indjic Aleksandar SRB 2538 IM Idani Pouya IRI 2508 IM Mads Andersen DEN 2496 FM Aghasaryan Robert ARM 2477 GM Hayrapetyan Hovik ARM 2456 FM Harutyunian Tigran K. ARM 2387
There are also Swiss tournaments for the various age groups – U18, U14, U12 and U10.
6th Karen Asrian Memorial Chess Tournament from June 15 in Jermuk
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The Armenian Chess Federation is organizing an international open chess tournament, dedicated to the memory of Karen Asrian, which will take place on June 15-25, 2013, in the prominent resort town of Jermuk. All interested chess players can participate in the 9-round Swiss tournament. GM David Arutinian was the winner of the 5th Asrian Memorial. Karen Asrian passed away in June 2008, at the age of 28. He was member of the Armenian national team which won the first gold medal at the 2006 Chess Olympiad in Turin. (-Chessdom.com)
Karen Asrian
Prizes The total prize fund is equivalent to 22,000 US dollars. 1st place 5000 2nd place 4000 3rd place 3000 4th place 2000 5th place 1000 6-10th places 500 11-15th places 300
Special Prizes for Women 1st place 800 2nd place 500 3rd place 300
Special Prizes for Participants under-16 1st place 500 2nd place 300
Special Prize for Participants under-14 1st place 300
Special Prize for Veterans /60 years and older/ 1st place 300
Time Control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves + 30 minutes for the remainder of the game (with 30 seconds increment starting from the first move).
Cool Chess Video: Why Chess is Compulsory in Armenia Schools
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here's a short video on why Armenia has added chess to the school curriculum: Readin', Ritin', and Rithmatic have long been the staples of a young person's education. In Armenia they've added chess to the list...by law.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here is an interesting article on how chess fever is sweeping Armenia. A lot of effort has gone in the campaign to popularise chess in the country. The national team winning the Chess Olympiad has helped as well. This article appeared in the Al Jazeera news site recently.
Susie Hunanyan, 7, takes on a chess opponent in class in Armenia's capital Yerevan [Felix Gaedtke/Al Jazeera]
Yerevan, Armenia - Little Susie Hunanyan attended her favourite class in school last week, and it wasn't drawing, crafts or sport. The seven-year-old sat studiously through an hour of chess lessons.
In Armenia, learning to play the grand game of strategy in school is mandatory for children - the only country in the world that makes chess compulsory - and the initiative has paid dividends. Armenia, a Caucasus country with a population of just three million, is a chess powerhouse.
Susie listened attentively as her teacher explained chess moves on a large board in front of the class at the Yeghishe Charents Basic School in the capital, Yerevan.
"I like chess lessons a lot. They always pass by smoothly," she said, setting up pieces sequentially on her board.
Armenia has produced more than 30 grandmasters and won the team chess Olympiads in 2006, 2008 and 2012. Armenian champion Levon Aronian is currently the third-best player in the world, according to the World Chess Federation rankings.
In 2011, Armenia made chess compulsory for second, third and fourth-graders. That's why Susie and her classmates have two hours of chess every week in school.
"My grandpa taught me how to play chess. But now that I learn chess in school, I am better at it than he is," Susie said, adding when she grows up, she'd like to become a chess champion like her idol, Levon Aronian.
For an hour, the students playfully engaged in one-on-one matches against each other.
Cool Chess Weekend Event in Armenia Video with GMs Vladimir Hakobyan, Gabriel Sargsyan, IM Ashot Nadanyan
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
On March 10, young chess players participated in Chess weekend at Tumo. Tumo members were also among participants to play chess with Armenian chess grandmasters Vladimir Hakobyan, Gabriel Sargsyan and International Master and chess coach Ashot Nadanyan. The event was part of Chess Conversation series organised by Converse Bank Armenia.
Armenian Chess Teaching Experience: European Union Chess Experts Study Educational Program
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The Yerevan State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan hosted the members of the European Chess Union board. Rector of YSPU Ruben Mirzakhanyan welcomed the foreign guests and introduced the activity of one of the largest educational institutions in the Republic of Armenia. After, he spoke about the implementation of "Chess" subject in the educational programs, according to an interesting Armenia Press report.
The Yerevan State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan informed "Armenpress" that the rector laid a heavy emphasis on the fact that annually more than 4000 students have opportunity to study chess alongside with the main profession and lecture in the schools. Among other things Ruben Mirzakhanyan was glad to announce that Armenia is the only country in the world to teach chess in the whole schools providing general education.
In turn, the President of the European Chess Union Silvio Danailov stated that he is glad for visiting one of the leading chess countries of the world - Armenia. The President of the European Chess Union stated: "We are like inexperienced pupils, who follow your success in this realm and want to acquire experience to teach this subject in the EU member-states."
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The latest chess news from Yerevan is that Tigran Petrosian is leading the Armenia's men chess championship after three rounds. He beat Robert Aghasaryan to keep a perfect score. Robert Hovhannisyan and Hovik Hayrapetyan scored a victory accordingly over Arman Pashikyan and Hrant Melkumyan to stay in second place.
Zaven Andriasyan-Avetik Grigoryan, Hrant Melkumyan- Samvel Ter-Sahakyan, Arman Pashikyan- Hovik Hayrapetyan, Robert Aghasaryan- Robert Hovhannisyan and Tigran Kotanjyan-Tigran Levon Kotanjyan are the pairings for the fourth round on Tuesday. Armenia's men chess championship started on January 12 and will conclude on January 21.
Meanwhile, in the Armenia women's chess championship, Gasparyan, Karapetyan, Movsisyan and Hayrapetyan have scored 1,5 point each to share 1-4 places.
Armenia Women's National Chess Championship from Jan 12
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Armenia will host the 68th women’s chess championship from January 12-21. A total of 10 players will participate in the chess event. The first round board pairings have been announced as follows: Anna Hayrapetyan vs Diana Mnatsakanyan, Yevgenia Dolukhanova vs Lusine Karapetyan, Siranush Andreasyan vs Narine Gasparyan, Marianna Gasparyan vs Hasmik Ghambaryan, Naira Movsisyan vs Armine Babayan.
The championship winner will gain an entry to 2014 event and 2014 European championship. The event will be held over nine rounds. You can read the ChessBlog post on the Armenia men's chess championship 2013 here.
GM Levon Aronian Named 'Man of the Year' by Armenia Magazine 'De Factor'
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
“De Factor” magazine has named Armenian Grandmaster Levon Aronian “Man of the Year.”
“I’m very grateful, this is a great honor for my,” Aronian said, speaking at the award ceremony. “As sportsmen, we are more used to receiving awards after victories,” he added.
Aronain says he always tries not to think about the nationality of his opponent. “I think there are no hostile nations. Simply, there are bad people in every nation.”
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Yes, chess can take care of your bread, butter and jam! The Armenian team that became champions at the 40th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul recently are going to receive a nice cash award: 20 million AMD. Levon Aronian, Levon Aronian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, Tigran Petrosian, will get the noted award. Also, 114 million AMD are given by the Government to award the other members of the Armenian team, according to the Press service of Armenian Government.
40th Chess Olympiad: Glorious Homecoming Video of Chess Champs in Armenia!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
It's awesome to win gold at the Chess Olympiad. Here is a cool video of the Armenian team - winners in the open section - doing the rounds on the Internet. Enjoy the glorious reception the Armenian team received at home. Plus, more chess videos currently being watched by chess fans worldwide. If you'd like to share a chess video of yours, do send it to us.
Chess Olympiad 2012 Champions Armenia in Istanbul
Also, don't forget to watch the Russian women's team winning the gold either with photos and video at Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk's blog post on www.chessqueen.com.
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12th Women's World Chess Champion
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