Chess Academy of Armenia

♟️ About Chess Academy of Armenia

The Chess Academy of Armenia is a major chess education, development, and tournament organization based in Yerevan, Armenia. It was founded in 2002 on the initiative of Grandmaster Smbat Lputian, with support from then Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The Academy was created to identify and develop Armenia’s most promising young chess players while providing high-level training for coaches and students. Over more than two decades, it has become a central institution within Armenia’s chess-education system and an important organizer of national and international competitions. The Academy combines elite junior training with a very extensive tournament program. Its annual calendar includes FIDE-rated classical events, GM and IM norm tournaments, qualification competitions, youth Opens, rapid and blitz tournaments, training camps, memorial events, and the nationwide School Chess Olympiad. It is also closely connected with Armenia’s internationally recognized Chess in Schools program. Since 2011, chess has been taught as a compulsory academic subject in Armenian public schools for Grades 2–4. In addition, the Academy operates through regional branches and in 2026 launched a new partnership with the SYUN Foundation to restore chess education in regional and border communities. GM Smbat Lputian remains the Academy’s Founder and President/Director and is the principal public representative of the organization. He also serves as First Vice President of the Chess Federation of Armenia and directs the Chess Scientific Research Institute. The Academy maintained an exceptionally active program in 2026, including the Andranik Margaryan Memorial, School Chess Olympiad, Spring Rating Tournament, Stepan Avagyan Memorial, summer camps, and numerous qualification events. Its autumn calendar continues with an Amateur Rapid Tournament on September 6, the final stage of the 20th School Chess Olympiad from September 10–13, the Tsaghkadzor Open from October 24–30, and the Goris Open from November 21–28, 2026.

📜 History and Development

The idea of establishing a dedicated Armenian chess academy was first proposed by Smbat Lputian in 1996. At the time, a significant number of strong Armenian chess players had left the country, creating an urgent need to develop the next generation systematically. The project became reality in 2002. The Academy brought together talented young players and experienced trainers in a structured environment designed to develop professional chess skills while promoting chess throughout Armenia. Its students have subsequently earned Grandmaster and International Master titles and medals at European and World youth championships. The Academy also developed a network of regional branches. Its official history currently lists 27 branches across Armenia, while a 2026 initiative aims to rebuild that regional network, beginning with a new branch in Kornidzor, Syunik.

🎓 Chess Education and Chess in Schools

Education is fundamental to the Academy’s mission. Young players receive structured coaching according to age and competitive strength, while successful participants in Armenia’s national youth championships can qualify automatically for Academy programs. The Academy also organizes regular training camps and seminars for coaches, connecting player development with improvements in teaching methodology. Its influence extends well beyond competitive juniors. The Chess Academy played a major role in the development of Armenia’s Chess in Schools model. In 2011, chess became compulsory for Grades 2–4 in Armenian public schools. The Academy continues to maintain a dedicated Chess in Schools department and works with educational institutions, teachers, researchers, and universities. In April 2026, the Academy hosted Georgian Chess Federation President Akaki Iashvili for an official visit focused on chess education. Together with Smbat Lputian, the delegation examined Armenia’s school-chess model and its links with the Armenian State Pedagogical University and the Chess Scientific Research Institute.

🌟 Stepan Avagyan Memorial

The Stepan Avagyan Memorial has become one of the Academy’s most important international tournament projects. The 2026 elite round-robin was held in Jermuk from May 28 to June 6 and brought together 10 grandmasters representing seven countries. The nine-round event produced a closely contested finish. American GM Samuel Sevian won the tournament for the second time after scoring 5.5/9 and finishing ahead of GM Vladislav Artemiev on tiebreak. GM Nihal Sarin took third place. Alongside the elite event, the Academy organized the Stepan Avagyan Youth Memorial, which attracted more than 460 young players. A separate FIDE-rated blitz tournament was also included in the festival.

🏆 Tournament Program

The Academy’s 2026 calendar demonstrates the scale of its competitive activity. January featured the 16th Andranik Margaryan Memorial, including separate Swiss, GM-norm, and IM-norm competitions. Throughout the spring, the Academy organized national and international rating tournaments, qualification competitions, several stages of the Academy Cup, memorial events, and the 20th School Chess Olympiad. Summer activity included the Stepan Avagyan festival, chess camps, public Street Chess events, International Chess Day activities, amateur team competitions, and the Arsen Yeghiazaryan Memorial Blitz Tournament. The program continues throughout autumn and winter with the Tsaghkadzor Open, Goris Open, qualification events, and the Winter 2026 National and International Rating Tournament in December.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

The Academy’s governing structure continues to reflect the organization established in 2002. Smbat Lputian is Founder and President. Galust Galstyan serves as Head of the Board, while Ruben Mkrtchyan and Aram Hajian are current board members alongside Lputian and Galstyan. The Academy’s headquarters on Shevchenko Street also houses its academic department, tournament activity, Chess in Schools operations, and Chess Academy Club.