Chess champ takes on multiple foes to promote tournament’s return to Glendale
Grandmaster Levon Aronian, one of the best players in the world, took on multiple registered players simultaneously during a special chess exhibition on Friday, Aug. 28, ahead of the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament’s return to Glendale.
Aronian is one of the world’s best players, winning multiple international titles including the FIDE World Cup in 2005 and 2017. CNN declared Aronian the “David Beckham of chess.”
Grandmaster Levon Aronian shakes hands with a young competitor during the start of the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament at the Center for Armenian Arts in Glendale on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
Chess players contemplate their next move against Grandmaster Levon Aronian at the Center for Armenian Arts in Glendale on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
Grandmaster Levon Aronian kicks off the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament by competing against dozens of players simultaneously at the Center for Armenian Arts in Glendale on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Ardy Kassakhian addresses attendees of the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament at the Center for Armenian Arts in Glendale on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
Grandmaster Levon Aronian kicks off the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament by competing against dozens of players simultaneously at the Center for Armenian Arts in Glendale on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
Grandmaster Levon Aronian kicks off the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament by competing against dozens of players simultaneously at the Center for Armenian Arts in Glendale on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
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Grandmaster Levon Aronian shakes hands with a young competitor during the start of the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament at the Center for Armenian Arts in Glendale on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Lewis, Contributing Photographer)
In 2021, Aronian switched from the Armenian Chess Federation to the U.S. Chess Federation and moved to Missouri.
Next week’s tournament, will be held Sept. 4-7 at the Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale, is expected to bring more than 300 players and tens of thousands of dollars in prize money to Glendale.
Organized by the American Chess Academy, the tournament will feature players of various ages and skill levels competing in seven sections.
“I’ve always appreciated chess because it teaches patience, strategy and the importance of thinking several moves ahead,” Mayor Ardy Kassakhian said. “But what I enjoy most is how the game brings people together. You can sit across the board from someone of a different age, background or experience and immediately share a common language. That makes Glendale a fitting home for this tournament.”
The tournament features seven sections: Open, U2300, U2100, U1900, U1700, U1500, and U1300.
For more information on the Southern California Open Chess Tournament and how to register, visit GlendalePlaysChess.com or contact Armen Ambartsoumian at AmericanChessAcademy@gmail.com.
City News Service contributed to this report
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