In 1989, at the age of six, Gabriel would follow the chess games played by his grandfather Sargis and his friend. He’d watch how the old wooden chess pieces would move around the board and bring victory to one and defeat to the other.

One day young Gaby told his grandfather, “Grandpa, let’s play a game together.” The old man was thrown for a loop by the boy’s request and answered, “But Gaby, in order to play this game you have to know the moves.” Gaby retorted, “I already know the moves.” Gaby played his first game of chess with on the worn out board of his granddad.

Gaby, now 25, recounts, “My grandfather really played well. I always liked to follow his games.”

In the early 1990’s a woman wearing a thick heavy coat was walking her young son down from Kanaker to the Chess House. Gaby was always in high spirits when going to the Chess House and his mother, Mrs. Alina, buoyed by the young boy’s chess victories, would punctually take Gaby to the Chess House four times a week despite the family’s tough social straits. However, from time to time the family’s desperation was such that they debated whether to continue to send the child to chess lessons. As it turned out Gaby’s parents did everything necessary to see that the boy’s natural born talent for the game was nurtured and developed. Perhaps Gaby’s mother felt that it wasn’t for nothing that she trekked such great distances on foot and that one day her son would reward her for her dedication.

Gaby didn’t make his mother wait long. In 1996 he became the world chess champ in the 14 year-old category. Gabriel’s grandfather Sargis only got to witness this victory of his grandson. The pride felt by the old man was boundless.

Gaby received his first wages, some 300 rubles, at the age of 13. “During those years the factory in which by husband worked closed down and he became unemployed. It was Gaby, who while still a young boy, became the breadwinner of the family,” recounts Mrs. Alina. “It was due to Gaby that we never went without.” Gaby’s older sister Sona adds, “The education expense for me and my sister, my institute fess, were all taken care of by Gaby.” Gabriel himself remains modestly silent on the matter at hand just as he remains modestly silent when it comes to talking about is singular chess skills, his excellent memory and devotion to work. Always attentive regarding his sisters Gaby never returns empty-handed from competitions. “Whenever Gaby buys us presents it’s not just something chosen at random, at the spur of the moment. I have always felt his support as a brother. Whatever I do, I know that Gaby is with me, by my side,” confesses Sona. 

However Gaby’s younger sister Haykouhi gets special treatment from the chess champ. Sona recounts that, “Gaby would always say that even when he was quite young and alone at a chess match he’d miss Haykouhi to the point of crying. Haykouhi didn’t even have the time to speak about her brother as she was busy getting the closets in his room tidied up since Gaby can be “quite fussy” about such things. Mrs. Alina also approaches the issue of Gaby’s fussiness with a sense of apprehension. “I really can’t imagine how his future wife will tolerate him. At each meal he takes the spoon at studies it at length and then eyes the food set before him. God forbid if something isn’t just right.” But even the women of the house respond tenderly to this ‘negative streak’ of Gaby’s and do all they can to make him feel at ease. The sisters jokingly add, “Any little thing can get his temper boiling but he quickly regrets such outbursts. We understand that it comes from his profession. Chess tenses him up and he has to let off steam somewhere.”

Edik Sargsyan, Gaby’s father, practically didn’t utter a word about his son. But the gleam in his eyes as a result of his son’s success conveyed much more than words could ever have.

Gaby proved to be so taciturn and modest that it was difficult to get him to say anything about himself. During our conversation Gaby behaved and spoke in such a way that you’d get the impression he had nothing to do with being an Olympiad champion. “I’m really not all that talented, my sisters have real talent,” he states and then adds, after pondering the issue for awhile, “It’s good that I’ve got this chess thing going otherwise what would I be doing?” Actually, there are a lot of things that he could be doing for he’s a fabulous football player. “My uncle still says today that he should have gone into football and that he would have certainly had great success in the sport,” his sister says. In addition, Gaby is also a voracious reader. “Up until this year I was reading Russian and foreign literature but I’ve decided that this year I have to read more Armenian literature. Right now I’m reading “Kaos” and I really enjoy it,” Gaby states.

Of interest is the friendship between Gaby and Levon Aronyan. They became friends when the two were around 18-19 years old but they knew each other when they were 8 or 9. When Gaby was eight he played a match with Levon who was a year older. “I won that match with Levon but later on he became a much stronger player.” Gaby says that Levon stands apart from the others with his unparalleled chess talents. Levon, in turn, states that a talented player like Gaby isn’t to be found. It’s clear that the guys are sincere and believe in and support one another. “The friendship I have with Levon is something else. He’s always there to help me out, whether in chess or in life in general. If it weren’t for Levon or team wouldn’t achieve the success that it has,” Gaby asserts.

Gaby confesses, “I really don’t like it when I waste my time needlessly. I can spend hours in front of the T.V. and then realize it was pointless. In general, I can’t say that I’m all that hard-working.” The other members of the family would argue the point. “During the years when Gaby really had to work and train hard he’d spend 6-7 hours a day at chess and never slouch off. Now there’s no need for him to train every day. That’s why he says such things,” recounts Sona.

Mischievous as a boy and energetic and impatient in the company of friends, Gabriel has always been a favorite of those who know him. Due to the many competitions he participated in those early years his school attendance record wasn’t that great but he still keeps in touch with his classmates and they all celebrate his victories together. “Gaby is honest, outgoing and good-natured but sometimes can be short-tempered,” is how his loving family members portray the chess champion.