Life has a way of bringing people back together — sometimes in the most unexpected places. For Coach Tigran Gyozalyan, a journey that began in Vanadzor, Armenia, has now come full circle in Singapore, where he has reunited with one of his earliest students, Grandmaster Samvel Ter-Sahakyan.
From Vanadzor to the World Stage
Years ago, in the quiet Armenian city of Vanadzor, a young Samvel Ter-Sahakyan trained under the guidance of Coach Tigran. Even then, Samvel’s natural talent and determination were undeniable, and Tigran’s expertise helped set the strong foundations that would carry him to international success.
Samvel went on to become a Grandmaster, one of Armenia’s top players, and a respected name in the global chess community. Meanwhile, Coach Tigran charted his own path, moving to Singapore in 2005 where he developed world-class champions and guided countless young players.
Reunited in Singapore
Now, years later, the two paths have crossed again — this time in Singapore. Samvel has joined ChessLab as a coach, making the city-state his new base. For both student and teacher, the reunion has been a moment of reflection and joy, highlighting how mentorship and shared passion can create lifelong bonds.
A Loop Closed
What began as lessons in Vanadzor has now come full circle with both coach and student working in Singapore, thousands of miles from where their journey started. It is a story of growth, opportunity, and the lasting power of chess to connect people across borders and decades.
For the students of Singapore, this is more than just a coincidence — it’s proof of how the right guidance at the right time can shape champions and even bring lives together again in the most inspiring ways.