Armenian Chess Legend Smbat Lputian Arrested Then Released Amid Investigation
Armenian chess legend GM Smbat Lputian was arrested on Friday as part of a criminal investigation into alleged fraud and forgery, according to national media. He was later released, though charges against him remain in place.
The arrest has been widely covered by national media and confirmed by Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee to Armenia Today this weekend.
In an email to Chess.com, Lputian declined to comment on this story, but his lawyer, Ruben Melikyan, confirmed on his Facebook page that the 68-year-old grandmaster has been charged with aiding and abetting fraud as well as forgery.
Lputian was among three individuals arrested, according to Aravot.am. Authorities said the arrests were made as part of a broader probe into alleged abuse of official authority, fraud, and document forgery. Shortly after news of his detention emerged, Lputian was released, his lawyer confirmed.
The 68-year-old serves as director of the “Chess” Scientific Research Institute, which operates within the Armenian State Pedagogical University and is reported to be a part of the investigation. The institute has long played a role in Armenia’s chess education system.
Lputian is one of Armenia's most celebrated chess players, organizers, and leaders. He achieved his grandmaster title back in 1984, and reached his peak ranking of world 17th in 1989. He was rated as high as 2640 in 2005, well into his late 40s.
In 2006, he was a part of the team that won a historic team gold medal at the 2006 Chess Olympiad, with GMs Levon Aronian, Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sargissian and the late Karen Asrian. In 2009, he was awarded the title of "Honored Master of Sport of the Republic of Armenia."
In 2002, he founded the Chess Academy of Armenia, and he also serves as the Vice-President of the Armenian Chess Federation. According to Lputian's lawyer, the investigation is not related to his position in the Armenian Chess Federation or the Armenian Chess Academy.
The case has also drawn a response from the International Chess Federation (FIDE), which released a statement:
Grandmaster Lputian is a person who has made a significant contribution to the development of chess, both over the chessboard and through his many years of work in the Chess Federation of Armenia, and we hope for a speedy resolution of the situation within the framework of the law, with full respect for the rights of all persons involved.
Separately, we would like to note that the activities of the «Chess» Scientific Research Institute have long been important for the development of chess science and FIDE’s educational programs. This is particularly important given that the “Chess in Schools” program is one of FIDE’s priority areas of activity in the current year.
FIDE confirms that it is aware of the situation in Armenia and of the preliminary charges brought against GM Smbat Lputian, First Deputy Chairman of the Chess Federation of Armenia.
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 19, 2026
Grandmaster Lputian is a person who has made a significant contribution to the development of… pic.twitter.com/PUZilPrkNc
The Armenian Chess Federation declined a request to comment on this story.
