Grandmaster, Armenian chess champion Asrian dies at 28
2008-06-09 18:32:34
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Karen Asrian, an Armenian chess grandmaster who was the ex-Soviet nation’s reigning champion and won the 2006 Chess Olympiad, died Monday after suddenly losing consciousness, the Armenian Chess Federation said. He was 28.
Asrian was ranked 92nd by the World Chess Federation, or FIDE.
Apparently feeling ill, Asrian pulled his car into a court yard in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, early Monday and lost consciousness, the Armenian Chess Federation said. An ambulance crew pronounced him dead at the scene, possibly of a heart attack, it said.
A moment of silence was held in his memory before the opening of a speed-chess tournament in Yerevan on Monday after his death was announced by Armenian player Smbat Lputian.
Source: PR Inside
28 is far too early to leave this game… Rest in peace.
Will there be an autopsy? This early death and his standing in chess leaves much to be answered!
Thre are reports he suffered stroke. Very sad…
A terrible loss. RIP
I’m a US MAster and remember looking at his play and profile a few months back…I was nothing less than greatly impressed…chess has lost a genius…R.I.P. Karen.
http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4687