Gabriel Sargissian is a Chess Grandmaster from Armenia with Elo ratings exceeding 2500 from FIDE, making him one of the best Armenian chess players of all time.
Last Updated: Aug 15, 2022
Full Name: Gabriel Sargissian
Title: Grandmaster (2014)
International Master (2002)
FIDE Master (1999)
Place of birth: Armenia
Born: September 3, 1983
Federation: Armenia
Ratings
World ranking: 40
Rapid: 2639
Blitz: 2561
Classical: 2698
Profiles
Biography
Gabriel Sargissian was born on September 3, 1983, in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union, Armenia. Sargissian’s grandfather coached him while he was six years how to play chess. He earned the title of Grandmaster in 2014, the International Master title in 2002, and the FIDE Master title in 1999. Sargissian partnered with Levon Aronian to develop a chess training center in Yerevan to provide training to junior chess players aged between 10 to 18 years. Gabriel Sargissian is engaged to Liana Avoyan who is a former student of Armenian National Agrarian University.
The Beginning
In early 2000, Sargissian clinched the Armenian Chess Tournament and again clinched it in 2003. When the FIDE World Chess Championship was held in Tripoli, Libya in 2004, Sargissian competed with Sergei Tiviakov who edged him in the initial round. He won in 2006 at Reykjavik and the 8th Dubai Open. At the latter event, Sargissian attained 7 points splitting the first position with Sergey Fedorchuk and fellow countryman Tigran L. Petrosian. The following year, Sargissian clinched the Ruy Lopez Festival in Spain earning 6.5 points out of 7 games with 2.5 points ahead of his closest competitors like Ponomariov, and Sasikiran.
Sokolov earning as well an achievement rating of 3021. Sargissian placed 3rd at the 2nd Ruy Lopez International Tournament in 2008 with a score of 4.5 points out of 7 games. In the 18th Annual Chicago Open in 2009, Sargissian clinched the top spot helping him advance to the 2009 Chess World Cup but was eliminated by Li Chao in the initial round. Three years later, Sargissian clinched the Annual Chicago Open with a score of 7 points in the 9 games played.
Sargissian shared first place with Priyadharshan Kannappan at the 23rd edition of the Annual Chicago Open in 2014. Sargissian finished first to third in the second PokerStars Isle of Man International Chess Tournament in Douglas, Isle of Man in 2015, with Pentala Harikrishna and Laurent Fressinet. Sargissian earned the silver medal for personal ability on the third board at the European Team Chess Tournament in November 2017 with a Top Peak Rating of 2797, and a score of 6.5 points in 9 games. In December 2017, Sargissian finished first, second, and third in the 9th CSC London Chess Classic FIDE Open alongside Hrant Melkumyan and Sebastien Maze. Sargissian competed in the Aeroflot Open in February 2018 where he placed 8th out of 92 competitors, with a score of 6 points out of 9.
Furthermore, Sargissian represented Armenia seven times in the Chess Olympiads (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012). Sargissian managed to win team bronze medals in 2002 & 2004, and team gold medals in 2006, 2008, & 2012. Armenia secured 1st Chess Olympiad at the 37th Chess Olympiad. Sargissian competed in the Olympics on the fifth board. The Armenian senior chess squad clinched a gold, medal beating out China and the U.S.
Sargissian and the Armenia senior chess squad bagged gold for the 2nd period successively at the 38th Chess Olympiad in Dresden in 2008. Sargissian competed on the third board and overcame Alexander Grischuk, Armenia’s lone victory in a tournament against Russia, placing Armenia ahead. Armenia eventually emerged victorious by being a point clear of Israel. Sargissian picked up the gold medal in this Chess Olympiad following his work outcomes on the third board with an Elo achievement rating of 2869.
Armenia as well as Sargissian reclaimed their Olympiad title at the 40th Chess Olympiad in 2012, the gold medal was Armenia’s third in the Olympics. The country’s hymn Mer Hayrenik was performed, and the flag of Armenia was hoisted in Istanbul when the participants, including Levon Aronian, were presented their gold medals. In 2011, the national team playing for Armenia triumphed in the World Team Chess Tournament for the inaugural moment in Ningbo. Sargissian took the fourth board. Sargissian was a participant of the Armenian squad that clinched gold at the 2011 World Team Chess Tournament. Sargissian additionally represented Armenia in the European Team Chess Tournament in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015, earning squad silver and personal gold in 2007.
Notable Achievements
- Clinched team gold at the World Chess Team Championship in 2011.
- Bagged team bronze at the FIDE World Team Tournament in 2015
- Claimed individual bronze at the World Team Tournament while playing on third board.
- Clinched team silver in the European Team Chess Tournament in 2007 and 2015.
- Achieved individual gold at the 17th European Team Tournament in 2009.
Did you enjoy reading about Gabriel Sargissian? If you did, you might be interesting in reading other player profiles such as Parham Maghsoodloo, Hans Niemann, and Rey Enigma.
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20070707050802/http://www.armchess.am/news06-6.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20111004221006/http://www.chessgiants.am/index.php?Page=Sargissian&Lang=1
- http://chess-results.com/tnr3219.aspx?art=1&lan=1&turdet=YES&m=-1
- http://ratings.fide.com/tournament_report.phtml?event16=7368
- http://en.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4004566/michael-adams-wins-second-ruy-l%C3%B3pez-international-in-m%C3%A9rida.aspx
- https://web.archive.org/web/20111020184547/http://www.chess.co.uk/twic/chessnews/events/world-cup-2009
- http://en.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4008256/cbm-training-dominance-last-pawn-cut-off-bartholomew-s-stalemate.aspx
- http://www.chessdom.com/gm-harikrishna-wins-isle-of-man-international-on-tie-break-video/
- https://sport.news.am/eng/news/25815/
- http://chess-results.com/tnr317477.aspx?lan=1&art=4&flag=30&wi=821
- http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4008466/2012-chess-olympiad-istanbul-armenia-russia-win-gold.aspx
Did you enjoy reading about Gabriel Sargissian? If you did, you might be interesting in reading other player profiles such as Bobby Fischer, Daniil Dubov, and Hans Niemann.