Armenians are united in chess: Robert Hovhannisyan

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: The young Armenian Grand Master Robert Hovhannisyan rejects the spread opinion that the Armenian sportsmen do not succeed in team games. In 2011 after the world chess team tournament it became known that the winner was the Armenian team. At that time Robert Hovhannisyan was included in the team. The young Grand Master answered to the questions of Armenpress.

- Robert, tell us please how did you begin playing chess.

- My father taught me. I do not even remember, I was 4 or 5 years old. At first we played together and then I began playing in accordance with a book. From 6 I began attending a school.

- Do you have a favorite chess player, whose games serve you an example?

- If I say Magnus Carlsen, who is the Number 1 chess player, it would not be right. It is better to be sincere. I like Michael Adams. I like his style of playing, especially his start, though I play another way, not like him. From the Armenian chess players, we all like Levon Aronyan’s style.

- What do you think, do the Armenians like chess or the chess likes the Armenians?

- I think that the chess does not differentiate the nations but I can say confidently that the Armenians are very much fond of chess.

- What expectations do you have from the next year?

- I will do my best to re-find my game. In January I will take part in the Armenia’s open and then maybe I will attend the European individual tournament to be held in Yerevan.

Interviewed by Varvara Hayrapetyan