Levon Aronian attends reopening of chess school in Yerevan, talks about his career, Armenia and chess

It so happens that your country’s government envisions the development of chess through another path, and you can’t say it’s not right. I need to live in a foreign country because it gives me the opportunity and treats me the way that is needed for me to achieve the maximum of my potential in chess. I’m not offended by or discontent with anyone in Armenia. I just want chess to remain a part of Armenia.

This is what multiple champion of the World Chess Olympiad, former member of the Armenia national chess team Levon Aronian told reporters today.

November 26^th marked the official reopening of the chess school named after Levon Aronian and Gabriel Sargsyan at 62 Abovyan Street in Yerevan.

Among those attending the reopening ceremony was third President of Armenia, President of the Chess Federation of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who toured the school with Aronian and Sargsyan and followed the lessons.

The chess school founded by Levon Aronian and Gabriel Sargsyan was shut down due to lack of government funding in October 2018. During that year, the Mika sport complex (operating under the auspices of the State Revenue Committee) where the chess school was located, was transferred to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, and the government stopped funding the school. In July 2021, the school resumed activities with the support of the Regenerative Thinking Charitable Foundation.

Levon Aronian has relocated to the United States and is currently in the process of obtaining sport nationality in the United States.

“I haven’t renounced Armenia. This is just the way things worked out. I’m not discontent with anyone in Armenia. If I have to serve my nation, I need to take steps that will help me serve my nation. I am dedicated to my homeland, my thoughts and remarks are clear, I walk proudly and do my job.  It’s clear that Armenia is currently undergoing big trials and tribulations. I believe we Armenians must not lose hope in this period. The important thing is for each of us to continue to do our job in our respective fields. I’m a chess player, and I want to see chess develop in Armenia. I don’t live in Armenia, but for me, Armenia is the best place to live in the world,” Aronian added.

Lusine Shahbazyan

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