Career
Asrian had a solid playing style, refusing to take much risk, and this combined with good endgame technique made him an excellent team player. He graduated from the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture in 2001. On 9 June 2008 the Armenian Chess Federation reported that Asrian had died of a suspected heart attack while driving, which was confirmed the following day.
Rustam Kasimdzhanov vs Karen Asrian, Lausanne YM Pool B 1999, Queen"s Gambit Declined: Exchange, Positional Variation (D35), 0-1
Karen Asrian vs Igor Khenkin, FIDE WCh KO 2001, Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation (B40), 1⁄2–1⁄2
Karen Asrian vs Arman Pashikian, 66th Armenian Championship 2006, Spanish Game: General (C65), 1-0
Konstantin Maslak vs Karen Asrian, 6th Aeroflot Festival 2007, French Defense: Advance Variation, Main Lincolnshire (C02), 0-1.
