Ashot Nadanian

Ashot Nadanian (born 19 September 1972 in Baku) is an Armenian chess International Master, Honoured Coach of Armenia and FIDE Trainer. In chess opening theory there are two variations named after him: the Nadanian Variation in the Grünfeld Defence and the Nadanian Attack in the Queen's Pawn Opening.

Ashot Nadanian

Quotes

• When I am trying to understand the method of winning in the endgame with two bishops against the knight, chess is a science, when I admire a beautiful combination or study, then chess is art, and when I am complicating position in the approaching time trouble of my opponent, then chess is sport.
  • S'pore Chess News, 7 September 2010

• Coaching secrets? I don’t think I got any. The main "secret" – love for chess.
  • Interview at S'pore Chess News, 23 August 2010

• Chess is not Mathematics, where ten is always more than one; in chess the King with a pawn can beat opponent's King with all pieces if they are placed badly.
  • Interview at S'pore Chess News, 23 August 2010

• The center of the chessboard is a magnet, which pulls to itself all the pieces. Therefore the most beautiful and amazing moves, for me, are those with which a piece, counteracting the gravitational force of the center, suddenly fly to the edge of the board.
  • Article at chessville.com, 31 October 2010

• Learn from each one of your defeats; your losses must be as close to you as your victories.
  • S'pore Chess News, 15 November 2010

Quotes about Nadanian

• Even Ashot's mistakes contain elements of creativity.
  • Tibor Károlyi, in his Genius in the Background (2009), p. 205.

• When he is inspired, he is capable of producing magic.
  • Tibor Károlyi, in his Genius in the Background (2009), p. 218.

• After having been present at his amusing lessons just once, I will always feel envious of his students.
  • Levon Aronian, in Genius in the Background by Tibor Károlyi and Nick Aplin (2009), p. 218

• I could keep talking about Ashot as chess player, composer, theoretician, or a trainer; however I would rather write about him as a person. If I were asked, which of my close friends is the most honest and kind, I would not hesitate to name Ashot.
  • Levon Aronian, in Genius in the Background by Tibor Károlyi and Nick Aplin (2009), p. 218

• Ashot is a born trainer.
  • Gabriel Sargissian, in Genius in the Background by Tibor Károlyi and Nick Aplin (2009), p. 219