InternationalArmenia’s men are the world’s chess champions – again
Team takes gold in Chess Olympiad
Published: Thursday November 27, 2008
Winners of the 38th Chess Olympiad, held November 12-25, 2008, in Dresden, Germany. From left, Gabriel Sargsian, Levon Aronian, Tigran L. Petrossian, Vladimir Hakobian, Artashes Minasyan, and Arshak Petrossian (coach) at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan, Nov. 26. Photolure
Yerevan - Armenia's men's chess team took the gold in the World Chess Olympiad, in Dresden, Germany, with a score of 19 points and as the only team that won nine matches. Victory came after Armenia defeated China 2.5-1.5 in the 11th and final round on November 25. Armenia's men had also won the previous biannual World Chess Olympiad in Turin in 2006.
"Winning the gold already feels like something we're getting used to," grandmaster Levon Aronian, first board for Armenia, said with a smile, The Associated Press reported.
When Armenia's Tigran L. Petrossian beat Li Chao of China, securing the gold for his team, Armenian fans who had gathered at the Chess House in Yerevan and were watching the final round live celebrated and cheered their country's victory yet again. Thousands of Armenians lined the streets of Yerevan to applaud their conquering heroes as they returned home the next day.
Mr. Aronian drew with China's Wang Yue on the top board. The game had been opened by President Serge Sargsian of Armenia, who has also long served as president of the country's chess federation. Vladimir Hakobian and Gabriel Sargsian likewise drew with Bu Xiangzhi and Ni Hua.
Mr. Aronian paid tribute to Karen Asrian, member of Armenia's 2008 chess team who died tragically and suddenly in June of this year at the age of 28 of an apparent heart attack while driving in Yerevan. "He was our good friend and we were trying to play well for his memory," Mr. Aronian said.
"We had discussions with our dear Karen Asrian about the variations we would play during this competition. And that helped me a lot during this match," Mr. Hakobyan told the Armenian Reporter on the day after the match. "We dedicate this victory to the bright memory of Karen. I am sure that he, his victorious spirit, was with us in Dresden. The Olympic competition was very tense, and it couldn't be otherwise. But the boys were all in a winning mood and it came about that we won."
In second place in the Olympics was Israel, which took silver with 18 points after beating the Netherlands 2.5-1.5. Two points are awarded for each match win and one for a tie.
The United States took the bronze with 17 points, after beating second-seed Ukraine with a 3.5-0.5 drubbing. This was most definitely an upset as Ukraine had not lost a single match in the tournament.
Russia, which has never placed below second level from 1952 to 2004 failed to win a medal for the second consecutive Olympiad.
"Our boys are making miracles happen," Smbat Lputian, vice president of Armenia's chess federation told the Armenian Reporter.
The Armenian women's chess team placed 6th overall among 114 participating countries. Georgia's women won the gold with 18 points, followed by Ukraine and the United States with the bronze.
Members of the U.S. chess teams included two Armenians, Varuzhan Akobian and Tatev Abrahamyan.
The general assembly of the World Chess Federation announced on November 24 that the 2012 Olympiad would be held in Istanbul. The 2010 Olympiad is scheduled to take place in Khanty-Maniysk, Russia.
The chess team returned to Yerevan on November 26 where thousands of fans had gathered to welcome them back home. Afterward the champions were taken to the Sports and Concert Complex in a festive motorcade adorned with flowers and tricolors where there was a victory concert, speeches, and an extravagant fireworks show.
The members of the women's team were not included in the celebration.
