Levon Aronian
Who was Levon Aronian?
Chess grandmaster and former world number two who won the FIDE World Cup in 2005 and has been Armenia's top-rated player for over two decades.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Levon Aronian (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Levon Grigori Aronian, born on October 6, 1982, in Yerevan, Armenia, showed exceptional chess skills from a young age. He became a grandmaster in 2000 when he was just 17 years old. Aronian quickly rose to prominence as Armenia's top chess player and one of the best worldwide. His highest classical rating was 2830 in March 2014, ranking him as the second-best player globally and the fourth highest-rated in history at that time.
Aronian won two FIDE World Cup titles, in 2005 and 2017, proving himself as one of his generation's top players. He also captured the Chess960 World Championship in 2006 and 2007, and the World Blitz Championship in 2010. His performance in the FIDE Grand Prix series from 2008-2010 earned him a spot in the 2012 World Championship Candidates Tournament, putting him within reach of the top title in chess.
As the captain and key player of the Armenian national team, Aronian led Armenia to great success in team events. The country won gold medals at the Chess Olympiads in Turin 2006, Dresden 2008, and Istanbul 2012, thanks to Aronian's outstanding performance. The team also won the World Team Chess Championship in Ningbo in 2011, securing Armenia's reputation as a strong chess nation during Aronian's career peak.
Aronian's success made him very popular in Armenia, turning him into a national icon. He received several honors like the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots in 2012, the title of Honorary Citizen of Yerevan, and the Khorenatsi Medal. In 2005, he was named Armenia's best sportsman, and in 2009 was titled Honoured Master of Sport of Armenia. In 2016, CNN called him the "David Beckham of chess," highlighting his fame in the chess community.
In February 2021, Aronian decided to switch his chess federation from Armenia to the United States, citing a lack of government support. This change was finalized in December 2021, ending his two decades of representing Armenia on the international stage. He married Australian chess player Arianne Caoili, and studied at the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, juggling academics with his chess career.
Before Fame
Growing up in Yerevan during the final days of the Soviet Union and Armenia's move to independence, Aronian got into chess at a young age in a country known for its chess tradition. Armenia had produced several notable players, but hadn't had a truly world-class figure until Aronian came along. His early growth matched the rise of international chess competitions and more global tournaments, giving talented players from smaller countries the chance to compete at the top level.
Aronian's rise to fame began in his teenage years as he quickly excelled in junior competitions and earned his grandmaster title before turning 18. He found success at a time when chess was becoming more professional and internationally open, allowing Armenian players to regularly compete against the world's best without the geographical and political barriers that used to limit players from the former Soviet republics.
Key Achievements
- Won FIDE World Cup twice (2005, 2017)
- Reached world No. 2 ranking with 2830 rating in March 2014
- Led Armenia to Chess Olympiad gold medals in 2006, 2008, and 2012
- Won World Blitz Championship in 2010
- Captured Chess960 World Championship in 2006 and 2007
Did You Know?
- 01.CNN called him the 'David Beckham of chess' in 2016 due to his celebrity status and global recognition
- 02.He became the fourth highest-rated player in chess history when he reached a rating of 2830 in March 2014
- 03.Aronian led Armenia to three consecutive Chess Olympiad gold medals spanning six years from 2006 to 2012
- 04.He won the Chess960 World Championship in consecutive years, claiming the title in both 2006 and 2007
- 05.His 2021 federation transfer from Armenia to the United States ended over 20 years of representing his birth country
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots | — | — |
| honorary citizen of Yerevan | — | — |
| Khorenatsi medal | — | — |