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

Champions of the Armenian Women's Chess Championship