Levon Aronian spoke about his relationship with chess throughout his career. Levon says that high expectations previously took the fun out of chess for him, and notes that he started enjoying the game at age 30.

Levon Aronian

Levon Aronian

American GM

“I didn’t really like playing chess for a long time. I only started liking — really fell in love with the game — when I was much older, maybe when I was 30.

When you’re successful and you’re in a circle of tournaments and crowds, you have high expectations and you really have to confirm it by working hard and not having so much fun.

And at some point, when the pressure is off, then you start loving the game.”

43-year-old Levon Aronian is America’s No. 6 and World’s No. 22. He achieved the GM title at age 18. Before turning 30, Levon won the World Cup 2005, World Rapid Championship 2009, World Blitz Championship 2010, and reached his peak ranking of World No. 2 in 2012.

Credit: Lennart Ootes / FIDE