KCF Academy welcomes one of the most respected coaches in the chess world
KCF Academy is set to offer chess fans a truly special live event on April 19 at 17:00 CET. The guest is not only a strong grandmaster, but also one of the most influential champion-makers in modern chess history: Arshak Petrosian. Renowned above all for his work as a coach, Petrosian’s live masterclass promises to be an important occasion for both competitive players and those fascinated by the intellectual depth of the game.
Arshak Petrosian’s career stands out as one of the finest examples of the powerful Soviet chess school. Having the privilege of learning from legendary world champion Tigran Petrosian shaped his understanding of chess from an early age. That foundation helped him become one of the youngest masters in the Soviet Union: he earned the title of USSR Master of Sport in 1969, later became Armenian SSR Champion in 1974 and 1976, achieved the International Master title in 1978, and the Grandmaster title in 1984. He also enjoyed notable success over the board, scoring wins against world-class opponents such as Alexey Shirov and Alexander Morozevich, winning bronze at the 1992 Chess Olympiad and gold at the 1999 European Team Championship.
Still, the field in which he made his deepest mark was coaching. As an elite trainer working with players at Candidates level, Petrosian guided top grandmasters including Rafael Vaganian, Oleg Romanishin, and Vladimir Akopian. He also became the longtime coach of world championship finalist Peter Leko, later turning into a central figure in his life through family ties as well. When he took charge of the Armenian national team in the mid-1990s, he helped create what can rightly be called a golden era: Armenia won gold medals at the 2006, 2008, and 2012 Chess Olympiads, as well as the 2011 World Team Championship. FIDE’s decision to award him the Mikhail Botvinnik Prize twice, in 2008 and 2011, confirmed the scale of his contribution on the international stage.
What truly set Petrosian apart, however, was not only his opening preparation or analytical strength. A PhD in philosophy, the veteran coach became known for teaching his students not just how to win, but how to think. He brought together positional understanding, disciplined decision-making, psychological resilience, and accurate evaluation in critical moments into a single training method. That is why this live session at KCF Academy is valuable not only for those looking to memorize variations, but for anyone seeking to understand the strategic logic of chess, the hidden work behind elite preparation, and the way enduring team success is built. In short, this event offers a rare opportunity to watch live a thinker, mentor, and architect of one of chess’s great modern success stories.