ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)—The opening ceremonies of the 40thWorld Chess Olympiad will be held today in Istanbul, in the presence of more than a thousand chess players representing around 150 countries.
Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Olympiad is the most prestigious team competition in the chess world.
The top-seeds are Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, China, and the U.S. respectively.
The Armenian national team is represented by Levon Aronian, Sergei Movsesian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian, and Tigran Petrosian.
Armenia won the 2006 and 2008 Olympiads and came 7th in 2010.
A number of Armenian chess players are representing other countries. Most notable among them is Varuzhan Akobian, who is part of the U.S. team, and Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian in the Brazilian team.
The women’s team representing Armenia comprises of Elina Danielian, Lilit Mkrtchian, Lilit Galoian, Maria Kursova, and Anna Hairapetian.
There are also several Armenians in the women’s section representing other countries. Natalia Khoudgarian, for example, heads the Canadian women’s team.
The Olympiad comprises of 11 rounds and will conclude on Sept. 10. Round one will be played tomorrow, Aug. 28.
The Armenian Weekly will provide up-to-the-minute results on its Facebook page, and detailed coverage on its website.
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