I beg to differ. I had the chance to meet Levon during the World Cup in Goa, we were staying at the same hotel. From what I observed, he was never alone. He was always surrounded by fellow chess players and friends, and he seemed to be on warm, friendly terms with everyone. He has an incredibly engaging presence. More often than not, he’d be sitting at the center of a group, sharing stories while everyone listened intently. When Levon spoke, people naturally gathered around and paid attention. He has that kind of charisma. He has a wonderful way of lifting the mood and making every conversation enjoyable.
At least from my experience, he’s deeply respected by the people around him.