www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights 7 Reflections on the book "Levon Aronian" I should note at once that this book is a grandmaster and resides in the U.S. So unique one. It is unique in the sense that the Khachiyan became the fifth member of the book about the great chess player of today tight-knit family. The unusual creative collab- was written … by his mother. You must admit oration lasted five whole years and yielded its that this is not only interesting, but also quite results. You must admit that it is a rare occur- correct. After all, it is the mother who can rence and that not every family can venture on recount objectively and truthfully the path such a "reckless" step. Yet it is one of those followed by her son! It is the mother who families that American philosopher George knows the smallest details of her child's biog- Santayana described as a "masterpiece of raphy and is well familiar with everything that nature". has made Levon happy, as well as with all Levon Aronian's victories in the interna- events, which have upset, worried, and tional arena have attracted attention. The alarmed him in different periods of his life. Yerevan-based guy has become an idol wor- Of course, the family - Levon's mother, shiped by lovers of chess art throughout the father, and sister - has played a crucial role world: people cannot but admire his playing both in the formation of his personality and style, which is impressive, creative, and the development of his chess talent. No doubt, extremely original. Mrs. Seda Sarkisovna saw and understood that Aronian is still young, but as a chess play- her son was very gifted, but she was also er he has already achieved a great deal. aware that the boy's talent needed to be devel- However, the hardest struggle - a struggle for oped in every possible way. And the family the chess crown is still ahead of him. Millions made an extremely uncommon (at first of his fans firmly believe that Aronian will glance), but correct decision: they asked successfully accomplish this task as well. Melikset Khachiyan - at that time a good chess player and coach, a graduate of the Professor Gagik Hakobian , Chess Department of the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture (later Levon ex-Champion of Yerevan and Armenia, Aronian himself graduated from that higher Honored Trainer of the Republic of Armenia, educational institution) - to live in their Master of Sports of the USSR, Master of the house. Currently, Khachiyan is a well-known International Chess Federation (FIDE). Below are several lyzing each move. When explain- ten laws in nature, and talent excerpts from the book: ing the eighth move, he said that becomes apparent in the struggle "The return from Germany Mikhail Tal had played in the same for life. Exhausted by severe trials, proved terrible for everyone. way but that his analyses showed I once shouted at Levon: "It would Planes either did not fly at all or that it would be better to play in a be better if you were born to a rich flew very seldom so it was almost different way, and Levon demon- family". He replied quietly: "In impossible to get tickets. Levon strated the preferable continuation that case I would not need chess. I and other children crammed into with his small hands. would lie on the sofa and watch the plane through the emergency Vahanian burst into such a loud videos (at the time a video recorder entrance, thanks to the ingenuity of laughter that the Supreme League was a hard-to-get thing that only Melikset Khachiyan who enticed players stopped playing and came rich people could afford). the special police force member to see what was going on" I think there is no other expla- guarding the entrance by a mirage nation for the emergence of such of a $100 banknote. The children * * * and Melik were sitting on the floor "All this was taking place in the all along. We did not go to the air- autumn, and then the winter start- port and waited them at home. ed. Neither the Chess House nor Finally, at around three in the the chess school was heated. To morning Levon, dressed in Melik's find a way out and conduct tourna- jacket, and Melik himself entered ments, Hovik Khalikian put a stove the apartment. We, the parents and jacket, he approached the chess- Vardanian, a good-natured man in the basement of the chess school, the sister, rushed to embrace and board and said: "Wait, I've got an and a chess fan, came up to us, say- making it a condition that everyone kiss Levon, but, throwing off the idea, and I need to check it as soon ing that he would request an "audi- should bring firewood. We used to as possible". ence" for Levon, telling Levon to bring small braches from felled We realized that it was the take his exercise book with chess trees in the streets, whereas large beginning of his great path" games written in it. branches were a "freely convertible At the appointed hour, currency" so it was impossible to * * * Vahanian received Levon in the find them outdoors. Unfortunately, "One day everyone in the Chess backstage area of the play hall and those damp branches were giving House began to bustle about: the suddenly asked him to show the off smoke instead of heat. It usual- famous Grand Master Rafael first game he had ever played ly took us two hours to get to the talented chess players at that time Vahanian arrived to watch a tour- abroad. Khachiyan and I got pan- building where tournaments were as Karen Asrian, Gabriel Sargsyan, nament of Armenia's Supreme icky: two and a half years had held. We had to put cellophane into Varuzhan Hakobian, Sergei Chess League. It seemed incredible passed since that game! Levon, our boots, but the cellophane Movsesian, and Tigran L. Petrosian to approach him and shake his however, was not taken aback and would often tear en route, with the who are still a dominating force for hand, but all of us were so eager to began showing his game with cold water soaking into our boots. Armenia during team champi- do it! Quite unexpectedly Rubik Icelandic player Kyartarsson, ana- Evidently, there are some unwrit- onships". 12 November #41 (938) 2012.