Levon Ovanezov 1923 - 2020 [In Memoriam]

For anybody who knew him, Levon Ovanezov was an amazing person with a never-ending passion for chess. Locally, he was known as the "oldest chess player" in the world.

 Levon Ovanezov became famous during the 90s when he opened his personal home to 20+ chess enthusiasts in his local town. He came to that decision after the authorities shut down the local chess clubs in Varna (Bulgaria). As a big fan of the game, he decided to take matters into his own hands. On one sunny day during the summer of 1990 the first private home chess club in Europe was born and named after him- "Levon Ovanezov".

                                                  

For almost 30 years his home was a place where people of all ages and strengths gathered together to play their favorite game and have a good time. Even after a few chess clubs were re-established in the town, people continued visiting Mr Ovanezov's home chess club twice a month on Thursday. It was a real bliss for everyone who had the pleasure to enjoy a friendly battle over the 64 squares in blitz and rapid tournaments. At some point, the club had 40 active members. The slogan of the club was "We are one Family". And we were really one big, united family.

Exclusive interviews with members of the chess club Levon Ovanezov from 1997.

Even the former world champ Veselin Topalov visited his home once, which was a clear sign of the respect that was shown to Levon Ovanezov for everything he did for the game of chess in Varna and nationwide. Topalov even gave a chess clock to Mr Ovanezov as a special gift and recognition of his contributions and passion for the game.

He was also one of the arbiters during the 1962 Olympiad in Golden Sands where the famous game between Botvinnik and Fischer was played. Levon Ovanezov was an international arbiter licensed by the world chess federation FIDE.

He played against Mikhail Tal, Nona Gaprindashvili, and Mikhail Botvinnik over the years. During the early 90s, he organized simuls of the ex-world chess champions Tigran Petrosian, Mikhail Tal, and Nona Gaprindashvili in Varna. Levon Ovanezov was also close to the Polgar family and they visited him at his home. As a chess player, he held the title of candidate-master. 

Besides chess, his life was full of many other events to remember. He was also into poetry and has written numerous poems some of them dedicated to the game of chess.

A little know fact was that Levon Ovanezov had been wounded during WWII which left him with a piece of grenade in his head. This happened during a reconnaissance mission when he was on his own. On the way back, he managed to help a wounded comrade.

His father was a glorious Armenian voivode who had many successful battles for his country.

Despite being over 90 years old, he had a great memory, which undoubtedly served him very well in spreading his love for chess. He was playing actively until pretty much the very last moments of his life. His energy and spirit were very high almost until his last moments. I remember him singing songs during the regular ceremonies he organized to honour the winners from the previous year.

I will never forget one personal story when applying to his private chess club. That's right, not everyone was accepted automatically, but through a particular request process. I had just arrived in town and he did not know much about me at the time.

Soon, I started playing more tournaments and also did some work as a chess arbiter. We organized a few big international chess tournaments in which many GMs from all over the world participated. One of these tournaments was won by GM Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian, whereas Abdulla Gadimbayli, who became a U20 World champion last year, played in another kid's tournament organized by Mr Ovanezov. Also, Bogdan-Daniel Deac took part in one of the open tournaments when he was not even an IM yet! (For reference, Deac has just won TT recently in front of none other than Magnus Carlsen).

                                

It was during one of these tournaments when Mr Ovanezov noticed me and accepted me kindly to his private home club. However, before that, I had to apply by filling our some documents, even a short chess CV with some additional info about me such as how long I have been playing, and so on.

The funny (and a little embarrassing for me) story was that after a few weeks of gathering all the required paperwork, I went to meet him fully prepared (as I thought at the time) to be accepted. However, it turned out that I had forgotten to fill out one of the documents he had requested. It was a little shocking to me, as he being in his 90s, had a better memory than me, even though I was a young guy in his early 20s who had just completed his master's degree. It was unbelievable! I cannot describe how embarrassed I felt back then.

Nonetheless, I was very proud to become a part of his home chess club and spent a few great years there. At the end of each year, there was an official ceremony during which all the players who performed the best received special certificates and prizes from him.

During the summer, tournaments were organized twice a month in his garden. When the town was covered in snow and ice, we gathered in his apartment in the center of Varna. It's amazing how his wife never minded having 10 and sometimes 20 people coming into their home for more than 20 years and playing chess for hours. As they say, behind every successful man, there is a woman.

                                       

It's worth mentioning that Mr Ovanezov and his future wife, Lusy, first crossed paths in their elementary school days. From that moment on, their bond grew and flourished, lasting well over 90 years until her final breath.

There are many published books about the story of Levon Ovanezov's home chess club. In them, he explained in detail how and why it all started, who were the players, who made the biggest impressions over the years, and many more interesting stories for the 20+ years of its existence.

                                                                 

                                   

Here is also an exclusive interview with Levon Ovanezov who was 96 years old during the time of the recording-

Conclusion

Levon Ovanezov was an exceptional individual with an unwavering passion for chess . Known as the "oldest chess player" in the world, he opened the first private home chess club in Europe, which he named after himself. Levon organized chess tournaments, welcomed players of all ages and strengths, and actively played the game himself until his last moments. His contribution and love for chess will forever be remembered, both locally and nationally.