Tournament dedicated to 90th birthday of prominent Armenian chess player Hakob Mokatsyan kicked off in Tigran Petrosyan chess house, December 23.

The tournament welcomes young players and veterans participating in rapid chess.

In a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, Vice President of the Armenia Chess Federation Smbat Lputian stressed Mokatsyan’s contribution to the development of Armenian chess.

“In 1960 Mokatsyan opened the first specialized chess school, which fostered development of this sport discipline in Armenia. His students and young players studying at the chess school are performing today,” Lputian said.

Hakob Mokatsyan participated in 19 Armenian Championships, twice winning silver.