Levon Aronian's Mother Responds to Rumors About His Alleged Decisions

The mother of Levon Aronian, member of the Armenian national chess team and World Cup winner, Seda Aronova, has addressed the recent discussions on social media regarding rumors that Aronian has decided to compete under the US flag.

Aronova noted that Levon has received numerous offers to play for other countries with substantial compensation but has declined them until now. However, she did not reveal what decision he will make this time.

In her response to the social media discussions, Aronova stated: "If Levon is accused of 'devouring' Armenian funds, let me clarify that as the team captain, he receives only 200,000 drams, and concerning the astronomical amounts mentioned, those were not directed to him. These were transferred to the Armenian Chess Federation for acquiring permission to use a special server, which he was not the only one to utilize. By the way, the permission for using that server has been revoked since 2020.

“Yet, for some reason, no one writes about the donations and charity Levon has made. I will also refrain from disclosing the amount he has donated for charitable purposes. I will only mention that he accepted invitations to help Artsakh, for instance, he gave a lecture for the US Basketball Association, with all the proceeds going to the fund.”

Levon contributes to charity for the benefit of Armenia and Artsakh, using both his own resources and his global stature. Upon his urging, foreign friends from various countries have transferred significant amounts of money to the pan-Armenian fund during the conflict.

“I will mention just one country and leave the analysis to you: over 30,000 euros were transferred by friends of non-Armenian descent from Bulgaria alone. Have you heard about it? Of course not, as the purpose has never been publicity,” she added.

Aronova also pointed out that a grandmaster school, created through the efforts of Levon and Gabriel Sargsyan, had functioned until it was deemed unnecessary and closed in 2018, causing athletes to spread across the world. For instance, the body of coach grandmaster Arsen Yeghiazaryan was transferred from Kazakhstan to Armenia last year.

Today, grandmasters Vladimir Hakobyan trains children in the USA, Hrant Melkumyan in Australia, Sergey Movsisyan in the Czech Republic, etc., while Levon’s home serves as a training venue for young Armenian grandmasters.

Currently, Levon is in Armenia, successfully playing under the ARMENIAN FLAG, yet no media, opposition or pro-government, covers his victories. The intention is evident.

“Additionally, I would like to stress that Levon has received and continues to receive numerous offers to compete for other countries with a thousand times higher remuneration. So far, he has refused, and I cannot say what decision he will make this time, seeing this nationwide depression. No one is to blame for your unmet life; stop criticizing talented grandmasters by trying to portray him as someone who has forsaken his homeland and family. Please notice that Levon’s participation in Armenia’s chess life was not for the PR of Federation President Serge Sargsyan; it was for the rating and honor of Armenia in the world. The international community evaluated Armenia by these victories, not the president of the federation, so enough politicizing my son's historical achievements,” Seda Aronova wrote on her Facebook page.

She also reminded of Aronian's achievements not only with the team but also his individual exceptional accomplishments. Aronian has yet to respond to the news.