In a post‑game interview at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, an Iraqi national team player who is also a professional boxer discusses his recent draw against Grandmaster Levon Aronian. He describes the game’s critical moments, the pressure of time, and his satisfaction with holding his own against a world‑class opponent. The interview also covers his feelings about facing the United States team in the first round, the significance of representing Iraq on the world stage, and the iconic nature of the Olympiad as a gathering of 200 nations. Team captain and coach Manvel Abed Isyan, an Armenian International Master and FIDE senior trainer, adds context about the player’s dual chess‑boxing background, his preparation, and Iraq’s recent team achievements, including strong placements in previous Olympiads and Arab competitions. The conversation highlights national pride, personal ambition, and the growing stature of Iraqi chess.
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It's a pleasure to be joined by today the star player, I should say. You just drew against Levon Aronian. First of all, how is the feeling for you?
Yeah, I mean, playing him was the best that I could hope for, but drawing with him, it was like something I could never think of. But yeah, I thought my position was— after Knight d5, I thought he had big chances with b5 and stuff, and then I thought my position is okay. So yeah, I just wanted myself not to think about the moment and just play chess and then be happy and make jokes about that later. Yes, sir.
But you know, when you saw that team Iraq for the first round is played against the USA, what were the feelings? You knew already, right?
The feeling was great, actually. I just— I'm not here to play some zero rating and win and be happy about it. So of course, this is— we are here for the historical moments, and playing the US team, USA team, was a big pleasure, of course, for us. And I thought— I immediately said to my teammates, Anyone who doesn't play, I give him money. Just let me play this round. Just let me be part of it.
Wow, that's really amazing. And you know, at the final moments in the screen, I saw that Levon was speaking with you. I was like, what was the post-game conversation like with him?
Uh, yeah, he was— he thought about, um, taking on e4, the bishop exchange sacrifice, and then taking on g3. But I thought my rooks were active, and he maybe thought my rooks are active also. So it was risky, but I mean, he could do it. I had time pressure, and yeah, the moves were tough to find. But when he didn't do it, I was very happy to take on g6. I mean, taking on g6, I'm just finding moves with 1 minute, it's okay.
Oh, and how has been your experience coming to the Olympiad, you know, in Samarkand? Is this your first Olympiad? Have you played before?
Actually, this is my first Olympiad, yeah.
What an insane result!
I don't know, I was like the national team of Iraq for two times, but it was not the year that the Olympiad was there, so I couldn't come. So this was my first time and first first game drawing with Levon Aronian. I mean, I could lose all the games now. I'm I'm allowed to represent your country such a bigger stage and playing with this.
bigger?
I mean, actually, they talk about the Olympiad when you are not there and you think this is— but when you come here, this is actually like just iconic. I mean, 200 countries being in one place. I mean, there's no other sport doing that, right? It's just iconic, you know. Every country representing his— I mean, every team representing country. I mean, this is a great moment and I would Enjoy it until the last.
And here we have actually the team captain of Iraq.
I'm from Armenia. My name is Manvel Abed Isyan. I'm international master, also FIDE senior trainer. I'm a coach of Iraqi national team. And by the way, before the game, as you know, Aronian is my compatriot from Armenia. I told him It would be better you do draw with my student. As you know, he's also professional boxer as well as chess player. That's why Aronian, I think, is afraid a little because I told him otherwise he's able to beat all your team. He's able to beat. That's why Aronian played a little quickly.
दूसरा राउंड, ओके। but like how was this experience you know coming and facing a strong team like Team USA on the first round and how has the experience been working with the team?
In these years, in for these four years, we took many prizes from Algeria third place from Arabic countries also in previous Olympiad in Hungary, we took very prestigious place. We shared 58-78 places with Israel without one game. We were late from round 1 and we had just 4 players in previous tournament. That's why it's now, it's good achievement for us and I hope that you will play, you will continue this tournament better than previous one.
It's amazing to hear. Thank you so much. Best wishes to Team Iraq and keep playing well.
