Chess in Armenia
Armenia is a landlocked country in Eurasia, bordering Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Georgia. Although this country has a small population (world ranking 137) and a small area (ranking 138), it has brought us some excellent chess players. The men's national team won the European team championship (1999), the world team championship (201) and the chess Olympic team championship (2006, 2008 and 20 12), and the women's team won the European championship in 2003.
As a member of the women's group in 2003, the grandmaster Lily Muckel Chiyan accepted our interview very kindly.
The Best Female Chess Player in Armenia —— Lily Muckel Chiyan
Arne Keller: Dear Lily, you are one of the best female chess players in the world. For many years, you have been at the forefront of Armenia's national elephant rating list. Tell us something about yourself and how and when you started playing chess.
Lily macor Kian: I was born in Yerevan on 1982. When I was six years old, my grandfather taught me to play chess and soon took me to the chess club for training. My first great success was in 1995, when I was 13 years old. I won the Armenian women's championship and became a member of the national team. Since then, I have participated in all the team competitions, and we won an unforgettable victory. Over the years, I have had great coaches to help me improve my chess skills. I am very grateful to them.
Arne Keller: Can you explain the success of chess in Armenia, a small country?
Lily Muckel Kian: It all started with Tigran Petrosian, the iron chess player. He set off a chess craze in Armenia, when Armenia was still part of the Soviet Union. The whole Armenia is in a state of "chess game" and "petrosyan". In the chess club, in the street, there are basically big chessboards everywhere, and the commentator is showing Peter Rossing's chess. All Armenians are analyzing his games, paying attention to and supporting him. It was a wonderful time! Many children want to learn to play chess and repeat the success of the great Tigran. Not surprisingly, the next generation is full of very powerful masters headed by Raphael Ganan. The enthusiasm for chess continues to this day.
Arne Keller: Levin Arenan is a national hero. How much did he inspire Armenia?
Levin is a hero of Armenia and a source of inspiration for the younger generation. He is the idol of many children, who want to compete like him and achieve the same success.
Levin Arenan, Lily macor Jane and her husband, Likalen, have dinner together.
Arne Keller: When did you become a chess player with a title? How did you win the championship?
Lily Muckel Kian: I won my WGM (Women's Grand Master) title in the Olympic chess competition in 1998, when I was 16 years old. These memories are unforgettable to me. A few years later, I also got the title of international master. (level 4 chess name)
Arne Keller: Does the state support your chess career and players?
Lily Muckel Chiyan: Yes, our chess federation supports us and has done a lot of work for Armenian chess. In the past few years, many chess schools have been opened all over Armenia. Thousands of children train chess in these schools, which is also because chess is a subject planned by Armenian schools. The national team and masters are also very supportive. Our Federation and the Chess Academy are organizing many international competitions.
Arne Keller: What do you usually do besides playing chess?
Lily Muckel Kian: Because I am in the national team, I am busy playing chess most of the time. But when I have the chance, I will teach chess lessons and give chess lectures. When I am free, I like reading in nature and watching interesting programs on the Internet, because I live in Germany and I also study German.
Arne Keller: Armenia officially declared its independence in 199 1. How does this affect you and your family?
Lily Muckel Chiyan: In those days, all Armenians, including my parents, were very excited about Armenia becoming an independent country. There were demonstrations in the streets and squares, and my parents took an active part. They took my brother and me to witness this unforgettable moment in Armenian history. I am very happy and proud that I can represent my independent country in the world championship.
Arne Keller: Do you live in a big city or a small place?
Lily macor Chiyan: In Armenia, I live in Parlby, a small village not far from Yerevan. We have a house with a beautiful garden in Parlby. I really enjoyed my time there.
Arne Keller: Do you remember what fascinated you about chess?
Lily Muckel Kian: Frankly speaking, I don't remember what fascinated me when I was a child. Gradually, I like playing chess more and more, and then I can't get rid of it anymore.
Arne Keller: Giving up the tail seems to be one of your favorite openings. What do you like about it?
Lin: I learned to give up the tail wing and legal defense when I was a child. It has been many years. Yes, I like them both! The rear wing abandoned the soldiers because of the security center; French defense, because it provides many opportunities to fight back!
Arne Keller: Who was the coach you mentioned just now? What is the difference between them?
Lily macor Keane: I have had many coaches over the years. They are Norell Mosiyan, Vladimir Hella Petean, Asen Yegia Zarian and Ashort Anastasiyan. I studied in Armenian Chess Academy for many years, and I am a member of Asen Yeja Zarian group. As I said, I have been on the national team since 1995. The coaches of our national team are Erdur Mnakanian, Arsene Yeja Zarian and Artur Chibuchyan. Now the coach of our national team is Zavan Andres Young. Now I train with him. Besides teaching them chess knowledge, they are also a group of kind and careful people! This is very important to me, and I really appreciate them!
Arne Keller: How do you know your husband? Did you teach him to play chess?
Lily Muckel Kian: I met my husband online, and this situation is very common now. He wrote to me as a chess fan and later visited me in Armenia many times. Finally, we decided to get married. By the way, he also played chess and participated in many competitions when he was young.
Arne Keller: If you look back on your career, what is the most unforgettable moment?
Lily Muckel Kian: For me, all the medals I won are very precious and extraordinary. As a member of Armenia's national team, how can I forget the moment when we won the European Cup? Besides, when I won those medals in the European individual championship, it was very unforgettable.
Arne Keller: What kind of chess do you like best?
Lily Muckel Kian: I have many unforgettable games, but I don't know which one I like best.
Arne Keller: Thank you very much for taking the time to give an interview.
Lily macor Keane, I'm very happy. Thank you for letting me do this.
(The above content is translated from/)
Red Sun Chess from Luoyang