Karen Asrian (born 24 April 1980) was an Armenian chess Grandmaster. He passed away suddenly on Monday 9th June 2008.

He won the national Armenian Championships in 1999, 2007 and 2008 as well as the international tournaments of Dubai 2001 and Stepanakert 2004.

In 2006, Asrian won a Gold medal in the Chess Olympiad in Turin as a member of the Armenian team. He was playing on board three.

He also won a Silver medal in the European Team Championship and also won twice a bronze medal in World Team Championship. GM Asrian had a solid playing style and was an important team member of Armenian team.

The shock news hit the Chess Giants tournament just before it started. GM Karen Asrian was extemely well liked for his pesonality and humour and will be sorely mised by all his colleagues.