AUA Chess Club Takes Competition by Storm at 15th Republican Student Sport Games, Chess Tournament of RA Higher Educational Institutions

3 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia – On March 26-27, 2014, the American University of Armenia (AUA)’s Boys Chess Team won first place in the 15^th Republican Student Sport Games Chess Tournament of Republic of Armenia Higher Educational Institutions at the Yerevan Chess House. Representing the AUA Boys Chess Team were Vladimir Kanjaryan (BAB ’17), Aram Serobyan (BS CS ’17), Sipan Muradyan (BS CS ’17) and Narek Petrosyan (MS CIS ’14), with AUA Chess Club Founder and Director Rubina Khachatryan (MBA ’15). The AUA Girls Chess Team also participated in the tournament for the first time. Representing this team were Diana Gevorgyan (MBA ’15), Vardine Sargsyan (BAB ’17), Astghik Abrahamyan (MBA ’15) and Anna Hayrapetyan (MBA ’15) with AUA Chess Club Founder and Director Rubina Khachatryan (MBA ’15). The team won eighth place.

Sixteen teams participated in the tournament from different higher educational institutions of Armenia. The tournament used the Swiss system, which consists of seven rounds, with clocks set at ten minutes each with five seconds added per move. This system, rather than eliminating participants, works by awarding winners points and subsequently pairing them with other players who have a similar score at that point in the tournament to play against.

The awards ceremony took place on March 28, 2014 at the Yerevan Chess House. This is the second time that AUA has placed in the top ten during the competition.

Vladimir Kanjaryan shares, “It was hard to win the tournament, because a lot of high-rated players were participating. But we were able to win several very important games and we kept fighting till the last game. The strong belief in victory helped us to bring the name of our University above all the others.”

Additionally, on March 28, 2014 Sipan Muradyan (BS CS ’17) and Hovsep Nahapetyan (BAB ’17) participated in the Individual Games of the tournament. Forty-nine students participated in the tournament from different higher educational institutions of Armenia. Both performed extremely well in the competition.

Rubina Khachatryan states, “the AUA Chess Club was launched in February 2013, after long preparations. I would like to once more express special thanks to Vice President of Operations/COO Ashot Ghazaryan, Director of AUA Administration Anahit Ordyan, President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian, Dean Aram Hajian, and Provost Dr. N. Dennis Leavens. Their continuous assistance and support directed to the prosperity of the club is appreciated very much. During this tournament, AUA undergraduate and graduate students played together in a team for the first time and they succeeded. This was yet another example of great cooperation and yet another proof that chess is a form of art suitable for teamwork for passionate people of all ages. This kind of teamwork is one of the best ways to make our AUA Community more cohesive.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values. 

From left: Aram Serobyan (BS CS ’17), Rubina Khachatryan (MBA ’15), Vladimir Kanjaryan (BAB ’17), Sipan Muradyan (BS CS ’17).

 

Rubina Khachatryan (MBA ’15) accepts the first place trophy on behalf of the AUA Chess Club.

From left: Vladimir Kanjaryan (BAB ’17), Rubina Khachatryan (MBA ’15), Sipan Muradyan (BS CS ’17), Hovsep Nahapetyan (BAB ’17), who participated in individual games at the tournament. Continued: Aram Serobyan (BS CS ’17), Narek Petrosyan (MS CIS ’14).

The AUA Boys Chess Team at the tournament.

The AUA Boys Chess Team won first prize at the tournament.