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Chess: Peter Leko leads Karen Asrian Memorial in Yerevan

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  • Chess: Peter Leko leads Karen Asrian Memorial in Yerevan

    Chessbase News, Germany
    June 14 2008


    Peter Leko leads Karen Asrian Memorial in Yerevan

    14.06.2008 - It started as the "Chess Giants Yerevan 2008", but after
    the sudden and tragic death of top Armenian GM Karen Asrian at the age
    of 28, the Armenian Chess Federation decided to interrupt the event
    for a few days, and then rename it to the "Karen Asrian Memorial".
    This will be the name it will bear in the future. The tournament ends
    tomorrow.

    Round twelve report.

    The "Chess Giants Yerevan 2008" rapid chess tournament was originally
    scheduled to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, from June 9th to 15th,
    2008. Due to the sudden and tragic death of top Armenian GM Karen
    Asrian on June 9th, 2008, at the age of 28, the Armenian Chess
    Federation decided to interrupt the event for a few days, and then
    rename it to the "Karen Asrian Memorial". This will be the name it
    will bear in the future. In addition, the rapid open scheduled to have
    been played in parallel to the main tournament from June 12-15, was
    cancelled.

    The decision was signed by President of the Republic of Armenia, and
    President of the Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsyan. He said:

    With deep regret I learned about the passing of one of the leading
    chess players of Armenia - Karen Asrian. The death of the gold medal
    world Olympiad champion, three time champion of Armenia, grandmaster
    Karen Asrian is truly a great loss for Armenian chess.

    The pain multiplies when we realize what great heights the young chess
    player could have reached, but did not have time to. Many a time have
    I witnessed how Karen Asrian devotedly upheld the honor of our
    country, how willingly he was helping his colleagues and friends, how
    dedicated he was in developing Armenian chess.

    At this moment of grief I extend my heartfelt condolences to Karen
    Asrian's family and friends, and to the entire chess community of
    Armenia.

    President of RA Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister of RA Tigran Sargsyan,
    Chairman of Parliament of RA Tigran Torosyan, participants of the GM
    tournament held in Yerevan, thousands of chess lovers were present at
    the funeral service conducted in the T. Petrosian Chess House.

    Report after round 12
    Of the 14 rounds required in this eight-player double round robin
    twelve have been completed on Saturday night. The final games will be
    played on Sunday, June 15 at 18:00h local Yerevan time (which is GMT+4
    or 15:00h CEST). You can follow the games of the Arsian Memorial on
    the official website or on Playchess.com. The links are given at the
    end of this report.

    Photos at
    http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid= 4699
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