President Serzh Sargsyan attended festive event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Vanik Zakarian

President of Armenia, President of the Chess Federation of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan today at the Tigran Petrossian Chess House attended a festive event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Honorary President of Armenia’s Chess Federation, Honorary Vice President of FIDE, Academician of the RA Academy of Sciences Vanik Zakarian.

In the framework of the event organized was a tournament of quick chess in which participated three generations of the Armenian chess players – the strongest veterans of chess game, the strongest players of our times as well as youngsters from the new generation who have already registered success at the international chess arena. There also took place the demonstration of the documentary dedicated to Vanik Zakarian.

At the conclusion of the tournament, there took place the official closing and award handing ceremony. Serzh Sargsyan hailed activities of Vanik Zakarian aimed at the development and propagation of chess playing in Armenia, thanked him and underscored that at the beginning of 1990s, overcoming numerous difficulties, Vanik Zakarian was able to find means and created opportunities for children to continue training, and for our chess players - to participate in international tournaments and register impressive success. According to the President, after leaving the position of the President of the Chess Federation, Vanik Zakarian continues to live a life full of chess: he is happy with the victories of our chess players and sad when they fail. Serzh Sargsyan also assessed as outstanding Vanik Zakarian’s achievements in science and noted that Mr. Zakarian’s contribution to two areas has been duly acknowledged by state and ensured that in the upcoming Republican chess events, his work from the height of his age will also be prized.

The President of Armenia expressed hope that the renowned intellectual will continue to support the game of chess for the years to come.