71st Armenian Chess Championship: Melkumyan, Pashikian in lead
Thursday, January 20
Hrant Melkumyan and Arman Pashikian again gained victories in the second round of the 71st Armenian Chess Championship beating Ara Minasian and Tigran Kotanjian, respectively. Melkumyan and Pashikian have scored 2 points out of 2 and are in the lead. Avetik Grigoryan beating Robert Hovhannisyan moved to the third place with 1.5 points. Tigran L. Petrosian is in the 4th place. He beat Ashot Anastasyan and now has 1.5 points.
Davit G. Petrosian – Samvel Ter-Sahakyan and Artashes Minasian – Zaven Andriasian matches ended in a draw. Zaven Andriasian, Samvel Ter-Sahakyan and Robert Hovhannisyan share the 5th-7th places with 1 point. Ashot Anastasian, Davit G. Petrosian, Ara Minasian, Artashes Minasian have scored 0.5 point, and Tigran Kotanjian has zero points.
Source: http://www.aysor.am
How come Aronian and Sargissian are not playing?
Aronian, Movsesian, Akopian and Sargissian are already in the national team because of their rating.
This field is strong enough for the national championship. The winner joins the national team as the 5th member.
Pashikian, T. Petrosian, Grigoryan, Andriasian, Melkumyan and Ter-Sahakyan are all very talented and possible candidates. Also, Artashes Minasian (although he is from an older generation).