Grandmaster Manuel Petrosyan and Anahit Mkrtchyan have made headlines by winning the Armenian National Chess Championships held in Yerevan, securing their spots on Armenia’s teams for upcoming international chess events. Petrosyan, marking his impressive achievement, has now earned his second national title, while Mkrtchyan, who is yet to receive a FIDE title, celebrated her first championship victory.
Highlights from the Armenian Championships
The 86th Armenian Championship and the 81st Armenian Women’s Championship took place simultaneously at the renowned Tigran Petrosyan Chess House-Sports School from January 13 to 21, 2026. Each championship featured a competitive 10-player round-robin format with classical time controls, ensuring a high level of play.
The open event was particularly thrilling, remaining competitive throughout the tournament. No player finished the tournament undefeated, showcasing the challenging nature of the competition. Heading into the final round, Petrosyan, along with IM Artur Davtyan and GM Zaven Andriasian, shared the lead with 5 points each from 8 rounds. In a decisive final match, Petrosyan triumphed over IM Arsen Davtyan, finishing the tournament with a solid score of 6/9. Meanwhile, his closest competitors drew their matches, allowing Petrosyan to secure the championship.
Davtyan, Andriasian, and GM Aram Hakobyan concluded the championship tied for second place, each finishing with 5.5/9 points. However, tie-break criteria awarded Davtyan the silver medal, with Andriasian taking home the bronze.
On the women’s side of the championship, Anahit Mkrtchyan and WFM Astghik Hakobyan quickly established dominance over the competition. Hakobyan initially took the lead by defeating Mkrtchyan in round six. However, a couple of losses in the closing rounds caused her score to drop to 6/9, ultimately placing her in second position. Mkrtchyan managed to draw her final two games, securing her title with an impressive score of 6.5/9.
In the race for third place, WFM Sona Krkyasharyan, Ani Avetisyan, and WFM Anna Khachatryan all finished with 5.5 points. However, Krkyasharyan clinched the bronze medal based on tie-break criteria.
This year’s championships not only displayed exceptional talent but also highlighted the growing prominence of chess in Armenia, as these talented players prepare for their international careers.