Tigran L. Petrosian: I am very happy to be back in national team

PanARMENIAN.Net - 2012 Armenian Chess Champion confessed that the tournament was not easy for him, especially after the defeat by Artashes Minasyan in the first round.

“It seemed that I lost the chance but I pulled myself together and was able to demonstrate my efficiency in the following rounds,” Tigran L. Petrosian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

This year’s champion lost only the first game, won 5 and played 4 in a draw.

In the last round, Petrosian rivaled Robert Hovhannisyan, Armenia's current champion, who topped the standings. “I needed a win. In the middle of the round, I felt slight advantage, thought over the rival's mistakes and won.”

From March 19 - April 1, Petrosian will participate in the European Individual Chess Championship in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

He says he is planning a rest for some 15 days after which he will start to train for the Championship. Besides, he will take part in a large tournament in France early in March.

“My teammates congratulated me on the victory and I was very happy to be back in the national team. We shall spare no effort to win gold at the Olympics in Turkey this year,” Petrosian said.