Levon Aronian

American GM

“I had problems, my fear of finances… Let’s put it this way, the last round is always the most important.

I went into the last round knowing that if I played badly, I would earn no money at all and couldn’t go anywhere else. And I told myself: ‘OK, let me make a draw, win $300 from it.’

I intentionally made draws, I was afraid… What if I lose and get stuck at home for a year? Of course, that always scared me. But when I went to Germany, after that we started receiving support from the state, and my wings began to spread.

I knew that neither my mom, nor dad, nor sister would go hungry — they receive a small amount, enough at least for basic things.

When I traveled to tournaments as a young player, I often took only about $20 with me. We had nothing else. Everything went to the ticket. Then, you save up for a room…

And with the rest of the money, I’d sit up at night, play, find some rich chess tourists, bet money with them, and play to win it. Then I’d go to an official game tired, but at least I had the opportunity to eat properly.

Of course, once that financial minimum was secured, I went from being an ugly duckling to a swan.”