Yesterday evening twice champion of the World Chess Olympic Games, the Armenian representative team of male players returned to Yerevan. Right after the airport arrival the champions together with the RA president went to the Sports and Concert Complex of Yerevan, where a ceremony was organized for them.
“We definitely showed a great game, better than in Turin and gained our deserved victory. We are glad that we were able to grant so much gladness to our people and strengthened our reputation in chess,” yesterday at Zvartnots airport said Levon Aronyan. Gabriel Sargsyan said, “This was really a worthy victory and all the chess players conduced to that.” Tigran Petrosyan was also extremely happy. “This was the first time for me. I don’t hide that I was really trying to maintain the top position of our team and I am glad that I was able to do that. This is also dedicated to the memory of our comrade Karen Asryan, who passed away at early age,” he said. “Thanks to our glorious guys, Armenian chess has proved again that it is ready and capable of achieving all heights in the chess world,” it said. The local print media also responded to the occasion by headlining and editorializing extensively on the significance of the victory and the team spirit, with some suggesting that it disproves the hardened stereotype that Armenians are a nation of individualists. In particular, in a media interview, Vanik Zakaryan, deputy head of the Chess Federation, called the success in Dresden natural because “Armenia proved to be the most united team at the Olympiad.” Overall, Armenia finished on top with 19 points in 11 rounds. On their way to the second title in a row, Armenia’s chess aces beat Italy, Moldova, Faroe Islands, the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Russia, France, China and drew with the strong team of Ukraine. Armenia’s only defeat came from Israel. Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan also made a speech at the ceremony. “For fifteen days we were holding our breath and following the battles unfolding on the chess boards in Dresden. Right before our eyes another unforgettable page of the Armenian chess history is being written,” President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said. He said that a sense of national unity is the greatest victory of the Armenian people. “It is difficult to become the champion; it is even more difficult to defend the title. The Armenian chess players through their splendid performance, talent and will power proved once again that our country is a chess superpower,” Sargsyan said. “Today, I recall the fervor with which you greeted the winners of the Turin World Chess Olympiad two years ago. I recall the excitement at the Opera’s courtyard. I remember how joy and tears of the fans came together when the members of our gold team appeared on the stage. Karen Asryan was among them, and today too he should have been here. This victory is also his victory. On that day we promised you new victories. The promise was fulfilled,” the president said. “We are witnessing a new victory which proved that the previous one was only natural, it proved the gold standard of our chess school,” Sargsyan said. He added that all the international commentators unanimously noted the team spirit of our players. “Every member of our national team is an exceptional individual, however together they are a team: one will power, one goal, one flag. The flag which was waving in Dresden in honor of our defending champions, the flag which will also be there at the next Olympiad. We can and must achieve team victories,” S. Sargsyan said. He added that they have already made a huge step forward, they have already wiped out the stereotype that we are a nation of individuals and can win only individually. “You have been able to win as a team in the game of individuals. We are together once again, we are united in our victory and in our joy. Victory and unity – these are eternal values,” the president of Armenia emphasized. By the way, yesterday Sargsyan signed a decree to grant state medals to the chess champions and the people, who contributed to this process, which brought success and honor to their fatherland. Among the ones, who received 1st degree medals are coach of the men’s chess team of Armenia Arshal Petrosyan, talented chess champions Levon Aronyan, Vladimir Hakobyan, Artashes Minasyan, Tigran Petrosyan and Gabriel Sargsyan. Byanother decree of the president 2nd degree medals for the “great services to the fatherland” received deputy prescient of the chess federation of Armenia Levon Yolyan, businessman Artak Sargsyan, deputy president of the chess federation of Armenia Smbat Lputyan and director of the Chess House Hrachya Tavadyan.