By Asbarez | Monday, 10 September 2012
The Armenian Chess champions at Zvartnots Airport on Monday
YEREVAN, ISTANBUL—The Armenian Chess team, which won gold Sunday at the Chess Olympiad, was welcomed by a large crowd at Zvartnots International Airport as national heroes and world champs.
Armenia cemented its reputation as a chess superpower by winning gold at the Chess Olympiad on Sept. 9, after defeating Hungary 2.5-1.5 in the final round.
Sergei Movsesian was Armenia’s hero of the day. He secured the crucial victory against Hungary’s Zoltan Almasi. Levon Aronian, Vladimir Akopian, and Gabriel Sargissian drew their games.
China, Armenia, and Russia had entered the final round with 17 points each.
Russia defeated Germany 3-1, but fell behind Armenia on tiebreak. China lost its match against Ukraine 3-1 and fell behind.
Armenia emerged victorious from 9 out of 11 matches. It only lost to China and drew its match against Russia.
Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Olympiad is the most prestigious team competition in the chess world.
The top-seeds were 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 in seventh in 2010. It came in third in 1992, 2002, and 2004.
In 2011, Armenia also won the World Team Chess Championship.
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