Levon Aronian | Chess Career, US Olympic Team, Fatherhood | C-Squared

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The legendary Levon Aronian sits down with the guys for an in depth discussion covering a variety of interesting topics, including his early childhood, the most impactful coaches in his career, the Armenian and US Olympic teams, and more.
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TWITTER / csqpod
INSTAGRAM / csqpod
TWITTER FABI / fabianocaruana
INSTAGRAM FABI / fabianocaru. .
TWITTER CRISTIAN / cristianchirila
INSTAGRAM CRISTIAN / crischirila
00:00 - Levon’s chess beginnings
09:39 - Playing as a child in a collapsing government
12:46 - Coaches
18:05 - From toys to chess
24:59 - Becoming the breadwinner
26:34 - Levon’s parents
29:09 - Discipline and attention
33:05 - Speed Chess
35:23 - Nepotism and the Armenian Team
44:53 - Ashot Nadanian
46:53 - A New Generation of Players
49:20 - Blitz, Bullet and Rapid
53:09 - Levon vs Hikaru & Speed Chess Championship
54:56 - Becoming a father
57:10 - Playing for the US Olympic Team
1:03:40 - Discovering new ideas in chess
1:10:56 - Fabi tells us about a shocking move
1:13:21 - Sign-off

Пікірлер: 179

  • @meruzhansargsyan1476
    @meruzhansargsyan1476 Жыл бұрын

    My greatest pride is that I played Levon Aronyan in Armenia as a kid

  • @williamrobert9898

    @williamrobert9898

    Жыл бұрын

    on the other hand I played Aronian as an adult in one of his Banter Blitz sessions

  • @ragnorak56
    @ragnorak56 Жыл бұрын

    The insane way that GMs can reference games against each other 8-9years ago and just talk about it as if they had the PGN opened in front of them.

  • @patrickdaly1088
    @patrickdaly1088 Жыл бұрын

    Lev the most wholesome top GM, truly a chess treasure

  • @ramachandra776
    @ramachandra776 Жыл бұрын

    Great podcast as always . The c-squared team really got Aronian into opening up . Aronian really had to struggle from the beginning . Financial troubles , racism , nepotism , accusations of treachery for agreeing to play in a hostile country , Aronian has been through a lot . Glad he is in a happy place with his wife and daughter Isobel . Only Arianne was not discussed probably it was too painful of a topic and the c² podcast were diplomatic enough not to mention it . All in all one of a kind discussion .

  • @sagardutta4176

    @sagardutta4176

    Жыл бұрын

    I had no idea about Arianne. Endless tests and tribunals.

  • @shamsaddinamanov3879

    @shamsaddinamanov3879

    Жыл бұрын

    "hostile country"? LOL. Armenia occupied Karabakh for more than 30 years, Karabakh is an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan (every country in the United Nations, including USA, UK, France, even Armenia (technically, as being part of UN) itself recognize Karabakh as Azerbaijani land) Your ignorance makes me smile. But it is okay. Karabakh is liberated and is no longer under occupation.

  • @zkprintf

    @zkprintf

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@shamsaddinamanov3879 Lol, dude, wtf are you talking about? Wtf is Karabakh and what the hell does your boring essay have to do with the word "hostile" which means unfriendly; antagonistic? Btw it's a rhetorical question, IDGAF about Karabakh.

  • @shamsaddinamanov3879

    @shamsaddinamanov3879

    3 ай бұрын

    @@zkprintf thanks for calling yourself an uneducated idiot and saving my time

  • @landwolf00
    @landwolf00 Жыл бұрын

    Levon's story is amazing. He wins a chess tournament and his parents literally give away all of his toys. Play time was over!

  • @ChessJourneyman

    @ChessJourneyman

    Жыл бұрын

    As was exercise time. Him and Alireza walk like toddlers 😅

  • @dark_magician_sdy

    @dark_magician_sdy

    Жыл бұрын

    @Dendra7 do something with your life then hate on the best chess players In the world. Who are you? A no body? Oh okay cool (:

  • @lillevikh

    @lillevikh

    Жыл бұрын

    @@dark_magician_sdy o

  • @hugosykes
    @hugosykes Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant podcast as always - my humble recommendation is when e.g. about 1:07:06 Fabi and Levon go down the rabbit hole of calculation, you put a board on screen so us mere mortals have a clue what's going on. Even just to be able to watch in slow-mo or pause and think about the position would be a lot easier with a visual guide. Thank you for the content! 🙏

  • @TanayRaj189

    @TanayRaj189

    4 ай бұрын

    +1

  • @WhiteCavalier15
    @WhiteCavalier15 Жыл бұрын

    Me seeing this being over an hour: "I'll watch first 10 minutes maybe..." Me after the end: "I want MOREEEE"

  • @the_old_desperado
    @the_old_desperado Жыл бұрын

    Levon is one of the most down to earth people you'll ever see in the game of chess.

  • @sayanchatterjee355
    @sayanchatterjee355 Жыл бұрын

    Best. Chess. Podcast. On. The. Internet. Keep going Cristian and Fabi. Also, let's take this in: these two bespectacled gentlemen here are considered by Magnus himself as two of his three greatest all-time opponents (the third being Anand) and probably the two best classical players in world chess in the last 10 years besides Magnus.

  • @cipherlistic
    @cipherlistic Жыл бұрын

    Levon story is powerful I see why he's such a humble guy the way he was raised and his mom she is a good woman every time I see him play now I'm going to think about his background and where he came from is just amazing how his family supported him

  • @sgc3594
    @sgc3594 Жыл бұрын

    I can't possibly love this podcast more, finding out that Maurice Ashley makes salsa dancing a routine, Alejandro Ramirez's hot sauce, now Levon's nose bleeding and twix bar. Love it. Makes me love the players.

  • @AlexBanzea
    @AlexBanzea Жыл бұрын

    Just imagining Wesley’s face when Fabi said it was prep not a mouseslip is hilarious

  • @strikercool911

    @strikercool911

    Жыл бұрын

    Wow alex !!

  • @flopasen
    @flopasen Жыл бұрын

    this episode felt like it went for 20 minutes, could listen to Levon all day

  • @utsav45_
    @utsav45_ Жыл бұрын

    Wow the journey of Levon's Chess career is truly inspiring! ❤

  • @Chessmentor
    @Chessmentor Жыл бұрын

    Greetings to Lev from Turkey. i listened his story partly laughing partly with tears in my eyes. He made me remember how hard people tried back in the day even to have a chance for being successful in the life. I think even he retires today he deserves to be in Hall of Fame of chess as a legend. Hope to see you guys one day in Turkey in a tournament.

  • @inguh7041

    @inguh7041

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm gonna get to Turkey and maybe have some turkey

  • @tommyh5540
    @tommyh5540 Жыл бұрын

    The classiest, most entertaining Chess podcast BY FAR on the 'net. Thank you Christian and Fabiano for this treasure. I enjoy the slow pace, the time a discussion can evolve in. Best of all no cheap shots, no shouting or fake-freaking out over nothing. Instead some genuinely funny chess stories, intelligent conversation and humbling memories and stories from Levon's life. Please have more of such chat sessions with other chess personae. Actually might be interesting to invite Rex Sinquefield once and let him talk about why he does all he does for Chess and sponsoring players, SLCC and so on.

  • @belld.s5276
    @belld.s5276 Жыл бұрын

    For new chess fans, Aronian is one of the most creative players in the field today and world #2 for many years. He was ridiculously high rated for a long, long time. I mean, anyone over 2800 is ridiculously high rated lol.

  • @randybailin4902
    @randybailin4902 Жыл бұрын

    Cristian and Fabi have the best chess podcast there is. Intelligent conversation, rich with interesting stories and chess talk. Respect their guests in a very comfortable setting.

  • @turdeaugottago114
    @turdeaugottago114 Жыл бұрын

    caruana is such an undercover chad! love watching the flex over the board with pushups! making danny whine - not 75! lol so good thank you!

  • @gennadiygeyler7981
    @gennadiygeyler7981 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing interview. Lev is such a class act.

  • @jarrodanderson2124
    @jarrodanderson2124 Жыл бұрын

    Aronian is someone you like almost immediately. This is a great interview and I'm glad there is a new chess podcast for us all. Thank you!

  • @dif1754
    @dif1754 Жыл бұрын

    Aronian deserves a movie/series about his life. What a nice and relaxed interview!

  • @yosefcohen483
    @yosefcohen4838 ай бұрын

    Levon is honest and warm-hearted, I appreciate that.

  • @prathamesh413
    @prathamesh413 Жыл бұрын

    He's more happier being father and it made my day

  • @ankurd2889
    @ankurd2889 Жыл бұрын

    i like aronian..what a story !! what i love in aronian's story is..you can find good, compassionate people almost everywhere in the world..

  • @tommonk7651
    @tommonk7651 Жыл бұрын

    Big fan of Aronian! Glad to have him here in the US….

  • @Grandcapi
    @Grandcapi8 ай бұрын

    Many years ago (1998) I played an open tournament in Linares and Levon was still a youngster. In this tournament other greats were Korchnoi, Miles, Tiviakov, Lobron, and that open is something I will never forget. What a great player and it is a pity that he was never a contender for the world title.

  • @lukeanatr
    @lukeanatr Жыл бұрын

    Levon, a great chess player and a great person!

  • @travistucker4067

    @travistucker4067

    Жыл бұрын

    I concur

  • @bailinhuang
    @bailinhuang Жыл бұрын

    One of the best of all chess podcasts, Levon is amazing

  • @dipronafis3298
    @dipronafis3298 Жыл бұрын

    Yes! I've been waiting for levon to come in this podcast for so long. I feel like he's the one of those top players who don't get enough hype around them. Despite the fact he's literally the 4th highest rated player of all time

  • @user-kh6xl4yg1j
    @user-kh6xl4yg1j Жыл бұрын

    Enjoyable interview. Noteworthy quote is his goal to raise his new-born daughter to be “a good person”… that’s a real testament to Aronian’s sterling character. That and the obvious warmth the esteemed interviewers, especially the ever-humble Fabi, have for Aronian.

  • @tripsam4655
    @tripsam4655 Жыл бұрын

    Levon is truly an ornament to world chess.

  • @sprcow
    @sprcow Жыл бұрын

    Wow what an episode. Historical value off the charts

  • @astrida.784
    @astrida.784 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you sooo much for this content, it really is amazing to be able to listen to this kind of stories from GMs we probably wouldn't find anywhere else. This is seriously the best chess podcast ever!

  • @noone-ld7pt
    @noone-ld7pt Жыл бұрын

    Holy fuck, this podcast is the most amazing insight into top level chess that exists anywhere. It's so damn cool to see these absolute Giants of the game just casually chatting and telling their stories. And the way the can just mention a line and follow each others calculations and logic is so freakin cool. Like 5 words from Aronian about his game against Ivanchuck and Fabi already knows where all the pieces are when Aronian is explaining. To see their brilliant minds in such a casual context almost makes it more impressive, they have like this shared universe of knowledge that we mortals can only marvel at.

  • @travistucker4067
    @travistucker4067 Жыл бұрын

    Nothing but love and respect for Levon.

  • @hoomanneshat3669
    @hoomanneshat3669 Жыл бұрын

    What a wholesome guy, absolutely loved his personality

  • @ROMKAUL
    @ROMKAUL Жыл бұрын

    Levon is a classy guy! Such a great podcast😄

  • @ranlit7717
    @ranlit7717 Жыл бұрын

    Dude how is this episode not 2 hours 😅😅😅 There were so many things later in Levon’s life worth discussing! Amazing stuff

  • @monkeygrip2412
    @monkeygrip24128 ай бұрын

    Love this podcast! Thank you all for bringing such amazing interviews and perspectives! I learn so much every episode! Keep them coming!

  • @morty7542
    @morty7542 Жыл бұрын

    what a podcast, thank you guys this was a great listen and thanks levon for sharing your story

  • @dimension312
    @dimension312 Жыл бұрын

    Levan really has an amazing story

  • @chessloverontwitch
    @chessloverontwitch Жыл бұрын

    Awesome I was about to ask when you guys would have Levon on podcast. Thanks a bunch! Christmas comes early. What a treat!

  • @toodle361
    @toodle361 Жыл бұрын

    Great episode guys. Levon is awesome

  • @userhandle-l
    @userhandle-l Жыл бұрын

    This was an amazing episode. Very interesting to hear about GM Levon's life in detail. I feel inspired now

  • @hamedrajhi
    @hamedrajhi Жыл бұрын

    I wish this episode was longer

  • @muntahafar8067
    @muntahafar8067 Жыл бұрын

    knowing his past now, i like him more 🌸

  • @RatheeshRamachandranGTO
    @RatheeshRamachandranGTO Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for such a beautiful interview.

  • @Thedukeofchess
    @Thedukeofchess Жыл бұрын

    Yea Levon my favorite GM . Great spirit

  • @thomasalicea8877
    @thomasalicea8877 Жыл бұрын

    YALL ARE AWESOME LOVE THE WORK YALL ARE DOING WHEN I SEE A NOTIFICATION I CLICK

  • @hellostranger2012

    @hellostranger2012

    Жыл бұрын

    So true

  • @BrunoAxhausen
    @BrunoAxhausen Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for all these great conversations!!! Such a fascinating man and life story! Well done on the interview, many full-time podcasters / interviewers don‘t manage this quality of conversations on a regular basis🤯🙏🏻

  • @christophermarshall527
    @christophermarshall527 Жыл бұрын

    Great interview, thank you so much!!!!

  • @thabangditlhabi3803
    @thabangditlhabi3803 Жыл бұрын

    Levon is always easy to listen to like an older brother

  • @lucagandossi7069
    @lucagandossi7069 Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful interview! Thank you!

  • @neilpearlman9732
    @neilpearlman9732 Жыл бұрын

    Love following Levon and it was great to hear him and Fabi talking about chess and sharing stories. I hope you have him back for a sequel episode! I'm sure there are hours more of entertaining stories and discussion there.

  • @DocUK123
    @DocUK123 Жыл бұрын

    Not sure why I'm so late to the party but I've only just discovered this podcast a couple days ago but I can't get enough of the content! What a show! I listen to the Perpetual Chess podcast and thought that was the only one. Keep them coming, this is amazing. Thanks.

  • @lorenzlorenz4545
    @lorenzlorenz4545 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot for this episode!

  • @chadmacgargle5311
    @chadmacgargle5311 Жыл бұрын

    I always love Levon's games to hear his roots are a privilege.

  • @rtt1961
    @rtt1961 Жыл бұрын

    These podcasts are very entertaining and informative.

  • @a11pu1poj
    @a11pu1poj Жыл бұрын

    what a fantastic episode / guest !

  • @64podcast
    @64podcast Жыл бұрын

    AMAZING EPISODE!

  • @tristan7720
    @tristan7720 Жыл бұрын

    Man levon is such a great person Also, he can speak german, thats crazy

  • @artemavetyan1962
    @artemavetyan1962 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the content!

  • @TheBlade1985
    @TheBlade1985 Жыл бұрын

    Just by pushing the play button I know already that this is going to be my favourite episode! Aronian fans can't go wrong! 😁😁

  • @hamedrajhi
    @hamedrajhi Жыл бұрын

    Best episode to date

  • @njtehderartinian3180
    @njtehderartinian3180 Жыл бұрын

    Great podcast!

  • @AroundWayOther
    @AroundWayOther Жыл бұрын

    v excited to listen to this !!

  • @nikhilsahay895
    @nikhilsahay895 Жыл бұрын

    Experiences make a person, Levon certainly had plenty.

  • @christopherorman5769
    @christopherorman5769 Жыл бұрын

    Great podcast. Levon's story is wonderful and he is very engaging.

  • @iwannabeastaire
    @iwannabeastaire Жыл бұрын

    What a great guy, and what amazing life story. Congrats on the podcast!

  • @pranavjoshi6396
    @pranavjoshi6396 Жыл бұрын

    The day after tomorrow, it's Vishwanathan Anand's birthday. So next week can you guys please have him on the podcast?

  • @allanfigueiredo8440
    @allanfigueiredo8440 Жыл бұрын

    Legend!

  • @katis999
    @katis999 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks !

  • @sebastiancruxian6518
    @sebastiancruxian6518 Жыл бұрын

    Always nice to hear Levon Aronian. Now is it just me or does Levon look like he came out of a castlevania game?

  • @Brian-sz4yk
    @Brian-sz4yk Жыл бұрын

    Great podcast. As someone recently getting into chess, hearing everyone's origin story and life experience really helps add depth to watching tournaments.

  • @borcz100
    @borcz100 Жыл бұрын

    this was just Great!

  • @juliodavidrojasrodriguez7826
    @juliodavidrojasrodriguez78266 ай бұрын

    I loved the conversation with Levon. Invite Leinier now please!!

  • @miquelcanosasanteularia1678
    @miquelcanosasanteularia1678 Жыл бұрын

    Nice a pod cast with levon

  • @network_noob
    @network_noob Жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @deathaddict24
    @deathaddict24 Жыл бұрын

    This is my favorite episode.

  • @axelgonzalezperez7743
    @axelgonzalezperez7743 Жыл бұрын

    Great podcast!!! Please consider interviewing Leinier Domínguez 🇨🇺

  • @pathofmelee6746
    @pathofmelee6746 Жыл бұрын

    Best chess podcast so far

  • @tennisCharlzz
    @tennisCharlzz Жыл бұрын

    Since we're unlikely to get a Cristian cat video anytime soon, I think it would be interesting to interview some of the chess players at Mizzou. The Aronian interview is fantastic, and of course, he's been around and very thoughtful, so it might be difficult to convince a college-aged student to do a podcast esp. as they are so much less experienced.

  • @mikefoster6018
    @mikefoster6018 Жыл бұрын

    Lovely people.

  • @facebookreal
    @facebookreal11 ай бұрын

    Very interesting and inspiring life story. Never thought too much about the impact the collapse of the Soviet Union, very sad to hear about it... but glad it worked out well for Levon. Also he's a great speaker, I don't usually listen to podcasts but this was easy for me to listen to the whole thing

  • @pavkal6603
    @pavkal66035 ай бұрын

    I like the angle where I can see all 3 players … I can see all the expressions and reactions …

  • @drjawad92
    @drjawad92 Жыл бұрын

    Great episode 👍🏼 Know he is underdog but reaalllyy rooting for fabiano in the upcoming quarterfinal with magnus. 👏

  • @jeffin1998
    @jeffin1998 Жыл бұрын

    Uffff please don't stop this , you two are best

  • @jackriordan4960
    @jackriordan4960 Жыл бұрын

    Guys, first comment ever on KZread. Insanely fun podcast as a whole, thank you

  • @JStack
    @JStack4 ай бұрын

    12:21 his mother sold her jewelry to pay for chess books and he returns that favor with his career and maintaining his elegance. Truly inspiring

  • @LittleChessMates
    @LittleChessMates5 ай бұрын

    One of the best discussion of chess for the future of standard chess. These guys are superheros of chess. But only one Superman and only one Batman and one wonder women etc.

  • @B21_raider
    @B21_raider Жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful story could be easily made into a movie

  • @insidercam
    @insidercam Жыл бұрын

    wonderful, guys. :)

  • @ragnorak56
    @ragnorak56 Жыл бұрын

    I can't tell you how much I Love these Biography episodes. They are so interesting. It would be great if you or someone could write down the names of the players Aronian references i.e. Medic (sp?) the strong player who lived with Aronian family.

  • @thesarasohrabi

    @thesarasohrabi

    Жыл бұрын

    U mean Melik? Melikset Khachiyan, shaper of many a talent

  • @ragnorak56

    @ragnorak56

    Жыл бұрын

    @@thesarasohrabi Thank you very much!

  • @DavidSchilter
    @DavidSchilter Жыл бұрын

    I'm the same age as Levon. My high school coach, in either 1999 or 2000, told us about this amazing junior prospect who would destroy people with the English...grab space with Rb1, b4 and positionally crush. He really matured from a junior talent to world-class player (#2 for the longest time) and human being. Just seems like a top bloke!

  • @stevevogt1328
    @stevevogt1328 Жыл бұрын

    Man stuff like this makes me feel fortunate to be born in America. Feel like he had a crazy upbringing. Edit: also Cristian is fucking swoll fr

  • @dimkilago2958

    @dimkilago2958

    Жыл бұрын

    Good luck to the next school massacre "lucky" kid.Also check the f stats to see the level of poverty and misery in your country you are not in a Scandinavian country.

  • @danielprytz

    @danielprytz

    Жыл бұрын

    Tf is wrong with you he's a chess player

  • @kasperlassner3632
    @kasperlassner3632 Жыл бұрын

    There's an easy way of getting rid of the noise Level of the recording without loosing the quality of the voices. Search for an audio vst plugin or standalone application that can clean audio. Izotope, waves have some simple ones which don't require to be an audio engineer. Beside that, love your channel!

  • @Corteum
    @Corteum Жыл бұрын

    _"If it's something that's not in my control, I can just relax! (laughs)"_ He's like a wise happy sage!

  • @aluminiumknight4038
    @aluminiumknight4038 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing story

  • @785lucky
    @785lucky Жыл бұрын

    It is still a mystery who would have become world champion if not for Magnus Era. Most probable choice was Levon and Fabi only after vishy Anand started declining in his late 40s .