Rafael Vaganian (15.10.1951, was born in Yerevan, now lives in Germany, but plays for Armenian team). Rafik Vaganian was considered to be one of the most talented young chess-players in USSR at the end of 60^th years. He was the deserved competitor with Anatoliy Karpov. The “patriarchy” of Soviet chess, Mikhail Botvinnik had given complimentary comment to his talent and strength of play. Vaganian was considered to be successor of Tigran Petrosyan in Armenia, he was the leader of Armenian team for a long time. Vaganian took part in the world championships since 1975, his greatest success – sharing of 1-3 places at the challengers tournament in Montpellier ( France) in 1985. <!-- ( Rafael Vaganian is the winner of one of the last USSR championships in 1989, repeated prize-winner of these tournaments, the winner of World chess Olympiads with USSR team.

He successfully plays for national Armenian team now, and has victories in Rome, San Paulo, Moscow, Hastings, Sochi, Marsel, Leningrade…

Rafael Vaganian is the connecting-link with legendary chess-players of 20^th century in this championship. He took part in 1^st World Blitz Championship in 1988, and yielded only to Mikhail Tal in final! Vaganian has “rapid thinking”, that’s why his blitz games of chess always attract spectators’ attention. Victor Korchnoi wrote about him: “...he had never been practical man, but the artist of chess, fantastical artist of chess!”