The “Stepan Avagyan Memorial” International Round-Robin Tournament continues its tradition as a top-tier chess competition honoring the legacy of Stepan Avagyan. Held in the scenic spa town of Jermuk, the event attracts elite grandmasters and rising stars for a prestigious FIDE-rated classical tournament organized by the Chess Academy of Armenia.
📅 Tournament Schedule
- June 9 – Arrival Day and Opening Ceremony (evening)
- June 10 to 17 – Rounds 1 to 8 (daily at 15:00)
- June 18 – Final Round at 11:00, followed by Closing Ceremony at 17:00
⏱️ Time Control
Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves and 30 additional minutes for the remainder of the game. A 30-second increment starts from move one.
🔄 Format and Participants
- 10-player single round-robin format
- Players include titled professionals (GMs and IMs)
- Average rating around 2600+ (FIDE Category XVII)
- FIDE-rated with title norm opportunities
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament features a total prize pool of 7,450,000 Armenian Dram (approx. 18,400 USD):
- 1st Place – 3,100,000 AMD
- 2nd Place – 1,850,000 AMD
- 3rd Place – 1,500,000 AMD
- 4th Place – 1,000,000 AMD
All prizes are subject to Armenian tax laws.
🏨 Venue and Accommodation
- Playing Venue: Jermuk Ashkharh Health Centre, Jermuk, Vayots Dzor Province
- Accommodation: The organizer covers full-board stay for participants in the tournament hotel
✈️ Travel Information
- Nearest airport: Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan
- Transfers to Jermuk: Organizers provide transportation from Yerevan to Jermuk for all players
📝 Registration and Entry
This is an invitational tournament. The Chess Academy of Armenia selects and invites all participants based on performance and international rankings.
🏢 Organizer Details
- Organizer: Chess Academy of Armenia
- Address: 34 Shevchenko Street, Yerevan 0050, Armenia
- Phone: +374 10 44 84 73
- Mobile: +374 43 44 84 73 / +374 91 19 25 14
- Email: tournaments@chessacademy.am
👤 Tournament Officials
- Tournament Director: Varduhi Sargsyan
- Chief Arbiter: To be announced
♟️ The Stepan Avagyan Memorial in Jermuk blends world-class chess, breathtaking mountain views, and Armenian hospitality. Join the excitement as top minds clash over the board in this highly respected international event.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - 18000 USD
Organizer Name - The Chess Academy of Armenia
Organizer Phone - +37410448473, +37491192514
Tournament Director - GM Smbat Lputian
Time control - 90 minutes for the first 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game with 30 seconds increment starting from move one
Number of rounds - 9
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Regulations -
Organizer
Chess Academy of Armenia is a leading Armenian chess academy and national-level tournament organizer based in Yerevan, Armenia. Over the years, it has become one of the country’s most visible centers for elite and scholastic chess development. As a result, it is closely associated with structured training pathways and official chess programming.
In addition, the academy runs a broad calendar of FIDE-rated tournament activity and training-driven events, spanning classical chess, rapid chess, and blitz chess formats. It also supports Armenia’s widely known Chess in Schools ecosystem through dedicated programming and coordination. Moreover, the academy regularly hosts international youth competitions and memorial events, combining strong playing conditions with consistent event operations.
Furthermore, the academy emphasizes a long-term junior chess program approach, helping students move from fundamentals to rated competition. For example, its in-house sections and club activity provide frequent practical play under formal rules. Consequently, Chess Academy of Armenia remains a key destination for chess training and organized tournament chess in Yerevan.
Venue
The “Jermuk Ashkharh” Health Center is located in one of the most scenic areas of Jermuk, a city long celebrated as a high-altitude mountain resort. Since ancient times, Jermuk has been renowned for its healing mineral waters, and in 1970, it was officially designated as an all-union resort by the Council of USSR Ministers. The mineral water brand “Jermuk” gained international recognition and continues to enjoy global popularity today.
Built in 1976, the “Jermuk Ashkharh” Health Center has preserved its strong traditions and high standards of care, remaining operational even through the privatization era. In 2017, the facility underwent a full-scale renovation and was modernized to meet contemporary needs. With a professional and experienced staff, the center offers exceptional medical services and a peaceful atmosphere, making it ideal for both family vacations and restorative getaways focused on health and wellness.
