Three-Time Chess World Champion, Vladimir Akopian, Visited AUA To Talk About Recent Successes

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YEREVAN, Armenia – Chess Grand Master Vladimir Akopian visited the American University of Armenia on November 2, 2015 to hold a Q&A session with the university community and to share his analysis of one of his recent games. The event was organized by the College of Science and Engineering.

The GM shared his thoughts on the role of creativity and calculations in chess, about the future of chess in the computer age, and many other topics. The university community enjoyed a valuable opportunity to meet one of Armenia’s legendary chess champions and to glimpse into the mind of a sportsmen engaged in one of the most cerebral forms of individual sports.

Akopian, who is one of Armenia’s top-ranked players, is a three-time World Champion in the following age categories: Under-16s Under-18s, and Under-20s. During the FIDE championship in Las Vegas in 1999, Akopian almost snatched first-place after an amazing run against his Russian opponent, Alexander Khalifman. He won the title of Vice Champion at that event.

Akopian, who was born in Baku, but moved to Yerevan as a child, learned to play chess at the age of 5. He is a graduate of the Botvinnik-Kasparov Chess School and credits the two years he spent there, along with his extensive coaching, to his successes. As strong as he is as an individual player, his record in team events is possibly even more outstanding. Akopian has been a leading Armenian national team player for over two decades and has a racked up a number of successes representing his country, as well as various clubs.

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.

Chess Grand Master, Vladimir Akopian, during his appearance at AUA

Audience members engaged in discussion during Akopian’s talk

Event attendees listening attentively to Akopian