The global chess community is reeling after the sudden death of GM Tigran Nalbandian, an iconic Armenian figure who was not only a grandmaster over the board but also a masterful coach off it. He passed away from a heart attack last week in Yerevan, just after celebrating his 50th birthday.

The Armenian Chess Federation confirmed his passing, and his funeral—held in the capital—drew national attention, a testament to the monumental role Nalbandian played in the country’s chess culture.

From winning the Belavenets Memorial in Moscow in 1990 to his coaching triumphs that brought Olympiad gold medals to Armenia in 2006 and 2008, Nalbandian’s impact spans both decades and generations.

But for those who knew him best, his legacy goes far beyond trophies.

I will remember him as a great friend who was always ready to support and give me advice,” said IM Elina Danielian, Armenia’s most successful female player. “Not only in chess, but in life too.

She shared a moment that speaks volumes about his personality. During a rough tournament, with just 1.5/6 points, Nalbandian found her reading a philosophical book on life and death. He asked her how many points she had, and when she answered, he threw the book out the window.

I was shocked,” Danielian recalled. “He brought me Alice in Wonderland instead, saying it would help more. I scored 6/7 in the remaining games.

Born in the former Soviet republic of Armenia, Nalbandian started his rise early, earning International Master norms in the early ’90s and capturing his Grandmaster title in 2003. Known for his fearless and creative playing style, his most memorable victory came in a stunning 22-move takedown of former world champion GM Veselin Topalov.

He founded the Kaissa Chess Academy in 2012 and held the position of head coach for Armenia’s national team from 2004 to 2008—a golden era for Armenian chess. His coaching career also included working with GM Vladimir Kramnik during the Deep Fritz match in Bahrain in 2002.

One of Nalbandian’s notable protégés is GM Zaven Andriasian, the 2006 World Junior Champion, who credited Nalbandian as a lifelong mentor since his childhood.

He wasn’t just a coach. He shaped who we became as players—and as people,” said Andriasian.

Even though his peak FIDE rating of 2527 didn’t break global records, Nalbandian’s reputation was built on developing others, not chasing personal milestones. He became a FIDE Senior Trainer in 2014, formalizing his position as one of the sport’s most respected minds.

His favorite battlegrounds included Dortmund, where he notched four tournament victories across 16 years, the last of which came in 2018, just before he retired from competitive play.

Armenia, where chess is considered a national sport, has lost not just a grandmaster, but a pillar of its chess identity. His teachings live on in the countless IMs and GMs he mentored, and in the warm stories shared by those lucky enough to sit across the board—or beside him.