GM Robert Hovhannisyan and WIM Susanna Gaboyan are the new champions of Armenia, winning their second and third national titles, respectively. Both winners qualified for the Armenian national team.

The 84rd Armenian Championship and the 79th Women’s Armenian Сhampionship were held simultaneously in the Tigran Petrosian Chess House in Yerevan from January 12-20. Both events were 10-player round robins with classical time control.

As it often the case in the open event, the race for the championship remained tight until the very last round. Heading into Round 9 Samvel Ter-Sahakyan was narrowly leading with 5.5/8, a half-point ahead of Robert Hovhannisyan and Mamikon Charibyan. However, a costly loss to Tigran Haryutunyan dashed the leader’s hopes for the title, while Hovhannisyan (pictured below) notched up a crucial victory over Artur Davtyan and clinched gold, scoring 6/9 as another contender Charibyan lost to Manuel Petrosyan.

Three players tied for second place with 5.5/9 with Manuel Petrosyan and Zaven Andriasian taking silver and bronze, respectively, based on their superior Sonnenborn-Berger.

Final standings open:

In the women's championship, WIM Susanna Gaboyan (pictured below) dominated the field conceding the opponents just three draws and won the title with an excellent score of 7.5/9.

WFM Mariam Avetisyan provided a spirited challenge to the champion but lost the direct encounter, ultimately finishing half a point behind in second place. Milena Gasparyan came third, netting 5.5 points.

Final standings women:

Photos: official website

Official website: chessfed.am/en