Yerevan /Mediamax/. World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen said that Armenians have “great excitement and love to chess, and it’s a unique phenomenon”.

Magnus Carlsen stated it at the press conference in Yerevan on June 23.

Answering the questions of the journalists Magnus Carlsen said that his father taught him to play chess.

“You become a professional chess player when you have experience, you master the game, and constantly think of the games of chess”, he said smiling.

Magnus Carlsen has arrived in Armenia upon the invitation of Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) Foundation and Acronis Company.

On June 23, Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian played simultaneous chess with the residents and clergymen of Halidzor and Tatev communities.

The youngest player was 7-year old Alex Sahakyan from Halidzor village and Lusine Poghosyan form Tatev village registered the best result; she drew a tie with Carlsen.

Armenian President, President of the Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsyan will receive Magnus Carlsen today.