The 5th Pan-Armenian Chess Camp and Tournament (PACT) concluded its anniversary season on November 2 with an online closing ceremony. This year’s camp and tournament were held virtually from October 6 to October 31. The tournament followed a two-week online training camp featuring masterclasses, game analysis sessions, and simultaneous rapid games led by Armenia’s top grandmasters.
The PACT tournament was initiated by the AGBU Armenian Virtual College in collaboration with the Chess Academy of Armenia. Launched in 2020, the tournament has attracted a global virtual community of young chess enthusiasts and brought together nearly 1300 chess lovers from more than 50 countries worldwide, promoting communication, collaboration, and the advancement and accessibility of chess education.
The 2025 closing ceremony hosted distinguished guests, including Dr. Yervant Zorian, AGBU Vice President and AGBU AVC Founding President; Smbat Lputian, Grandmaster, Founder and President of the Chess Academy of Armenia, and Chairman of the FIDE Committee of Chess in Educational Systems; Andre Voegtlin, President of the Swiss Chess Federation and Chair of FIDE’s Social Commission; world-renowned grandmaster Artur Yusupov; several Armenian chess champions and grandmasters; as well as the participants.
In his welcoming remarks, AGBU Vice President and AGBU AVC Founding President Dr. Yervant Zorian emphasized that education and the preparation of knowledgeable, competitive, and forward-thinking youth have always been among AGBU’s core priorities. “These initiatives are designed not only to create opportunities for learning, engaging with experts, and being informed about the latest developments in chess, but also to foster meaningful connections and communication among participants.”
Founder and President of the Chess Academy of Armenia, Grandmaster Smbat Lputian, added: “I am pleased that over these five years, AVC and the Chess Academy of Armenia have been contributing to our communities and supporting our young chess enthusiasts to be of value to the next generation.”
The 5th Pan-Armenian Chess Camp and Tournament brought together 76 participants aged 8–18 from 19 countries. The competition was held in a rapid-chess Swiss-system format, with players competing for the top three positions.
The winners announced during the closing ceremony were:
1st Place: Shahan Movsisyan Said, 14, Saudi Arabia
2nd Place: Alen Avagyan, 15, Armenia
- 3rd Place: Saghatel Tadevosyan, 11, Armenia
The Best Female Participant award was granted to Sirvard Davtyan, 9, Armenia, while the Best Participant Under 10 award was received by Sofia Baghramyan, 9, Armenia.
All winners received certificates and prizes.
Grandmaster Artur Yusupov stated: “Our best wishes for the continued success of this event. I believe you are making a significant contribution not only to the development of Armenian chess, but also to the advancement of chess worldwide.”
The organizers prepared a special surprise match between Woman International Master and four-time Armenian Women's Champion Susanna Gaboyan and Woman International Master/Grandmaster Anna Sargsyan.
At the end of the closing ceremony, participants had the chance to take part in a quiz game and win additional prizes.
Watch the video highlighting five years of the Pan-Armenian Online Chess Camp and Tournament here.
Watch the recording of the closing ceremony of the 5th Pan-Armenian Chess Camp and Tournament here.
