Grandmaster Levon Aronian (2830) recently discussed the psychological aspects of elite chess competition in the recent videos of “The Most Googled Questions!”. The 42-year-old Armenian-born player, known for his creative playing style and technical precision, offered rare insights into the mental approach that has helped him maintain his position among the world’s top players for nearly two decades.

GM Levon Aronian

GM Levon Aronian

You are playing against somebody for so long and you feel they’re even breathing, you feel their movement of the eyes and the way they’re moving with their body. It kind of becomes more or less understandable what goes on through their mind. And if you get in tune with the way your opponent is thinking and you kind of challenge it, of course, to fine tune that, that’s normally the success. And then it’s really not about the position anymore

The 42-year-old GM will participate in the upcoming Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland, scheduled for April 24-May 1, 2025 in Warsaw. As a full-tour player for the 2025 Grand Chess Tour, Aronian (2745) will compete against elite players including Alireza Firouzja, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu for a share of the $175,000 prize fund. Chess fans worldwide can look forward to witnessing Aronian’s psychological mastery in action during this prestigious tournament celebrating the GCT’s 10th anniversary.