Armenia’s Levon Aronian wins Chess World Cup in Tbilisi

Armenia's world no. 2 ranked Levon Aronian triumphed in World Chess Cup 2017 tournament after defeating China's Ding Liren in the final played in Georgia's capital Tbilisi on Wednesday.

Aronian claimed the title in 30 moves against his counterpart to finish the game with a score 4-2.

The win represents the second World Champion title for the Armenian player following his 2005 triumph, with the player awarded in Tbilisi by the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia Tariel Khechikashvili.

Levon Aronian wins the FIDE World Chess Cup 2017#FIDEWorldCup2017#FIDEWorldCup#chesspic.twitter.com/oWNrbwhHFb

— Chess Georgia (@TbilisiWorldCup) September 27, 2017

The new champion took home a 120,000 USD money prize in addition to his title, with Liren collecting 80,000 USD.

Aronian took the ultimate honours at the competition that hosted over 120 of the top players from around the world.

The roster featured players occupying the first 25 spots of the official World Chess Federation (FIDE) rating, marking an unprecedented figure for the tournament.

Second-placed Ding Liren collects his prize following the conclusion of the tournament. Photo: Georgia's Sport Ministry press office.

With leading players including no. 1 ranked Magnus Carlsen and former World Champion Viswanathan Anand travelling to Georgia for the event, the audience of the tournament also included notable figures including Georgia's chess legend Nona Gaprindashvili.

The closing of the Chess World Cup in Tbilisi marked the conclusion of a year-long calendar of sporting events within Check in Georgia, a governmental project that saw tournaments and matches held across Georgia throughout 2017.

Athletes and competitors from around 70 countries were in Georgia to challenge each other in sporting disciplines within the program.