#Argentina – International Chess Federation

Faustino Oro, the ‘Messi of chess,’ becomes second-youngest GM in history

editor_d — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:16:03 +0000

Faustino Oro, often hailed as the “Messi of chess,” achieved a historic milestone in his chess career, becoming the second-youngest Grandmaster in history.
Born on October 14, 2013, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Faustino was introduced to chess at the age of six by his father – a chess enthusiast and active member of the local chess community. This happened during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in May 2020. He quickly mastered the game’s fundamentals, displaying extraordinary talent, and soon began formal lessons – supplemented by online training sessions.

Faustino’s rapid ascent includes breaking multiple age-related records, such as the youngest player to achieve a 2300 rating, the highest-rated 11-year-old in history, and the youngest player to attain an IM norm (later broken by Ethan Pang). He was ten when he beat reigning world number one Magnus Carlsen in an online bullet game, in a clip that went viral within hours. Faustino became an IM at the age of 10 years, 8 months and 16 days (another record, later broken by Roman Shodzhiev). At eleven, he became the first under-12 in chess history to cross 2500, a rating reached by fewer than 200 active players in the world. In November of last year, at twelve, he became the youngest player ever to win a match at the FIDE World Cup.

In his pursuit of the coveted Grandmaster title, he cleared the first hurdle and achieved his first GM norm at the Legends & Prodigies 2025 tournament with an undefeated 7½/9 score, surpassing the 2500 rating mark along the way. His second norm came three months later on home soil in Buenos Aires, at the Magistral Szmetan-Giardelli, where he scored 5.5/9 and reached a 2516 rating.

At the Aeroflot Open 2026, Oro came at the striking distance of becoming the youngest GM in history, but lost a crucial final-round game and had to wait for another chance.

Faustino clinched his final norm at the Sardinia International Chess Festival, scoring 6/9 and finishing 16th.

Oro’s meteoric rise has resonated across Argentina and South America, sparking a surge in youth chess participation. The president of the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA) described it as a “revolution,” highlighting its broad impact. As one of the world’s oldest chess federations (founded in 1922), FADA has long supported young talent through sponsorships, school programs, and partnerships such as its cooperation with SENAF. Faustino’s success exemplifies the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Olympic Beach Initiative launched in Argentina

editor_d — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:44:00 +0000

The Argentine Olympic Committee’s “Olympic Beach” was officially inaugurated in Argentina—an initiative designed to bring sports and Olympic values to the country’s coastlines as a prelude to the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games.

The formal opening took place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Horizonte Beach Club in Mar del Plata. The event was attended by the President of the COA, Mario Moccia; the Governor of Santa Fe Province, Maximiliano Pullaro; Olympic athletes; and local authorities, including Javier Curilen, Vice President of the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA).

Under the leadership of Mario Petrucci, Executive Director of FADA, member of the COA, and representative on FIDE’s Chess in Multinational Sports Games Committee, the Argentine Chess Federation has integrated chess into the Olympic Beach activies.

The program runs from January 7 to February 1 across eight key locations: Mar del Plata, Chapadmalal, Miramar, Pinamar, Cariló, Villa Gesell, Rosario, and Concepción del Uruguay. It features beach sports competitions and exhibitions, free clinics, activities for children and youth, environmental cleanups, and more.

During the opening event in Mar del Plata, the Mar del Plata Chess Federation organized a Blitz tournament at “Varese” Beach, along with open boards for casual play, simultaneous exhibitions, and inclusive activities for all ages.

Summer chess in Argentina is moving at an Olympic pace!

Diego Flores wins 100th Argentine Championship

editor_d — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 15:26:58 +0000

GM Diego Flores emerged as the winner of the 2025 Argentine Championship, claiming his eighth national title. The champion scored an impressive 8.5/11 and was the only player to complete the event undefeated. With this victory, Flores has equaled the legendary Miguel Najdorf‘s record for the most titles in the history of the competition.

The 100th edition of the Argentine Championship, a 12-player round-robin tournament, took place at Buenos Aires City Hall from November 25 to December 5.

Flores entered the competition as the top seed and confirmed his status as the pre-tournament favorite. After a relatively slow start with two draws, he picked up steam, took the lead by winning three straight games, and never relinquished it. As fate would have it, the final 11th round featured a clash between the leader and his closest rival, the 2021 champion Federico Perez Ponsa. With a full-point cushion, Flores played solid chess and secured the title after a draw was agreed on move 37.

Perez Ponsa finished a point behind the champion, taking silver with 7.5/11. GMs Diego Valerga and Leonardo Tristan both scored 7/11 and tied for third place, with Valerga claiming the final podium spot due to a greater number of victories.

The young prodigy IM Faustino Oro turned in a solid performance, netting 6.5/11 and tying for fifth place.

Final standings:

Photos: FADA Facebook

Argentine Ministry of Human Capital promotes strengthening of School Chess program

editor_d — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:28:33 +0000

Argentina’s Ministry of Human Capital, headed by Sandra Petrovello, through the National Secretariat of Education led by Carlos Horacio Torrendell, has taken a significant step toward strengthening school chess across the country.

This valuable initiative emerged thanks to the efforts of distinguished international authorities – Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board), Jerry Nash (Chair of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission), and Willy Iclicki (Chair of the FIDE History Commission) – during their visit to Argentina.

In line with the projects announced at the School Chess Congress of the Americas, held in Vicente López last year, the National Secretariat of Education, together with the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA) – represented by its Executive Director Mario Petrucci – and FIDE, through Deputy Chair Dana Reizniece-Ozola, has achieved a historic milestone for education and sport through two key actions:

The reinstatement of the National Chess Coordinator within the Area of Strengthening Education and Socioemotional Development, a role that will be assumed by Professor Juan Durán.
The appointment of 24 provincial representatives – one in each province – who will work together on designing and implementing projects for the Chess in Schools program.

Ludovico Grillo, Mario Petrucci, and Alejandro Sass also contributed their expertise to the initiative, supporting the promotion of educational chess in the region.

At the same time, the recent creation of the Association of Chess Teachers and Educators (APEA), chaired by Ricardo Luna – a well-known figure with a long track record in school chess – marks another significant advancement. APEA will work in coordination with FADA to expand teacher training and consolidate school programs nationwide.

This agreement represents a major milestone in integrating chess into Argentina’s educational system, reinforcing its role as a tool for pedagogy, inclusion, and socioemotional development, in line with the standards promoted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Johan-Sebastian Christiansen triumphs in Mar del Plata

KN — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:51:51 +0000

The unforgettable 53rd City of Mar del Plata International Chess Open, one of the oldest tournaments in South America, took place from March 23-30 in the Hotel Provincial. The event, supported by the FIDE Aid Package, brought together 278 players from 11 countries and was a great success. The President of the Mar del Plata Chess Federation, Lic. Javier Curilen was the tournament director, while AI OI Leandro Plotinsky and his team officiated the competition.

After nine exciting rounds, GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen, a member of the Norwegian Olympic team, was crowned undefeated champion. The top seed arrived in Mar del Plata with great expectations and confirmed his status as a pre-tournament favorite, scoring 8/9 and taking clear first.

As many as four participants finished a half-point behind the champion on 7.5/9 and tied for second place, with GMs Diego Flores and Leonardo Tristán completing the podium thanks to superior Buchholz.

Final standings:

1	GM	Christiansen, Johan-Sebastian	NOR	2633	8
2	GM	Flores, Diego	ARG	2530	7½
3	GM	Tristan, Leonardo	ARG	2521	7½
4	IM	Espinoza Palomino, Willyam	PER	2400	7½
5	CM	Jaque Gutierrez, Matias	CHI	2173	7½
6	IM	Acosta, Pablo Ismael	ARG	2463	7
7	FM	Spata, German	ARG	2421	7
8	GM	Felgaer, Ruben	ARG	2565	7
9	IM	Villegas, Franco	ARG	2328	7
10	FM	Schnaider, Ilan	ARG	2314	7

Complete standings

Official website: mdpajedrez.ar/

Maria José Campos wins 2023 Argentinean Women’s Championship

KN — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 01:03:40 +0000

WIM Maria José Campos is the new women’s champion of Argentina. The second seed representing FMDA Obras Aysa, won her maiden national title.

The 74th edition of the most important female chess event in Argentina took place in Buenos Aires from November 20-28 and brought together virtually all the best players except for the #1 Candela Francisco Guecamburu.

The 9-round Swiss tournament turned into an exciting race with several participants taking turns on the top of the standings. Interestingly, neither participant completed the event unbeaten.

Heading into the final round, Maria Jose Campos and WIM Milagros Tatiana Brizzi (pictured below)lead the field with 6/9, followed by WIM Anapaola Rorda Rodas on 5.5/8. To make things even more interesting, Campos faced Borda Rodas with the white pieces, while Brizzi took on Karen Nerina Gaite also with white.

Maria Jose prevailed over Anapaola in a topsy-turvy game and clinched the title. Milagros Tatiana did not manage to break the resistance of Karen Nerina and had to settle for silver. The runner-up became the only player to defeat the champion.

As many as four players tied for the third place on 6/9, with Marisa Zuriel taking bronze thanks to a better Buchholz.

Final standings:

1	WIM	Campos, Maria Jose	2208	7½
2	WIM	Brizzi, Milagros Tatiana	2076	7
3	WIM	Zuriel, Marisa	2165	6
4	WIM	Borda Rodas, Anapaola	2261	6
5		Flores Mirabal, Nancy	1937	6
6	WFM	Nejanky, Maisa	1951	6
7	WCM	Gaite, Karen Nerina	1871	5½
8		Ramirez, Marysol	1720	5½
9	WIM	Sarquis, Maria Belen	2194	5
10	WFM	Adam, Ernestina	2036	5

Photos: Federación Argentina de Ajedrez Facebook

Argentine Championship 2023: Peralta wins fifth title

KN — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 19:48:12 +0000

Fernando Peralta defended his national title in the 98th Argentine Chess Championship (98 Campeonato Argentino Superior). A native of Lomas de Zamora won this event for the fifth time, following his success in 2006, 2018, 2020 and 2022.

The 98th Argentine Championship took place from October 28 to November 7 in Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes. The format remained unchanged – a twelve-player round-robin, but compared to last year’s edition, the 2023 championship was not as strong for obvious reasons. Alan Pichot (former top-rated Argentinean player) changed federation, while Sandro Mareco (current #1) competed in the FIDE Grand Swiss on the Isle of Man.

Still, the tournament was a very close race among the top-rated participants that came down to the wire again. Coming into the final, Fernando Peralta and Federico Perez Ponsa jointly lead the field a full point ahead of the chasing pack.

Peralta drew with the black pieces in a hectic game with Leonardo Krysa, while Perez Ponsa did not manage to break the resistance of the second lowest-rated FM Ariel Tokman on the white side of Caro-Kann.

To determine the champion, a two-rapid-game tiebreak was played. Despite having unpleasant positions in both encounters at some point, Fernando Peralta drew the first one and pulled off a win in the second game to clinch the title.

GM Leonardo Krysa and IM Pablo Ismael Actorsta tied for third place, netting 7/11 each, with the former claiming bronze thanks to a slightly better Sonnenborn-Berger.

Final standings:

1	GM	Peralta, Fernando	2580	8
2	GM	Perez Ponsa, Federico	2527	8
3	GM	Krysa, Leandro	2546	7
4	IM	Acosta, Pablo Ismael	2482	7
5	FM	Tokman, Ariel	2306	6½
6	GM	Valerga, Diego	2428	6
7	GM	Tristan, Leonardo	2523	6
8	IM	Villca, Julian	2383	5½
9	FM	Gomez, Carlos David	2331	4½
10	WGM	Francisco Guecamburu, Candela	2345	3
11		Silva, Luca	2287	2½
12	FM	Miranda, Rafael	2343	2

Photos: Federación Argentina de Ajedrez Facebook

Fernando Peralta wins 2022 Argentine Championship

KN — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 11:51:13 +0000

Fernando Peralta is a new Argentine chess champion. A native of Lomas de Zamora clinched his third national title following his success in 2006 and 2018.

The 97th Argentine Championship took place from December 1-10 in San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro. The event brought together the twelve best Argentine players, competing in a round-robin format.

The tournament was a very close race among the top-rated participants that came down to the wire. Suffice it to say that three players – Fernando Peralta, Leandro Krysa and Sandro Mareco – shared first place coming into the final eleventh round on 7/10 with Pablo Acosta and top-rated Alan Pichot (pictured below) trailing them by a half-point.

Mareco and Krysa playing each other drew their last game and opened the door for Peralta, facing Acosta with the white pieces. Fernando seized the opportunity and wrestled the title after scoring a crucial final-round victory.

Meanwhile, Pichot beat Acosta and caught up with Mareco and Krysa but took silver thanks to a greater number of victories. For the same reason, Leonardo Krysa (pictured below) edged out Sandro Mareco and claimed the third place on the podium.

Final standings:

1	GM	Peralta, Fernando	2587	8
2	GM	Pichot, Alan	2637	7½
3	GM	Krysa, Leandro	2524	7½
4	GM	Mareco, Sandro	2619	7½
5	IM	Acosta, Pablo Ismael	2463	6½
6	FM	Fiorito, Joaquin	2328	5½
7	GM	Perez Ponsa, Federico	2538	5½
8	GM	Flores, Diego	2541	5½
9	GM	Valerga, Diego	2438	4
10	IM	Paveto, Kevin	2440	3½
11	GM	Sorin, Ariel	2363	3
12	FM	Gaitan, Juan Manuel	2358	2

Official website: federacionargentinadeajedrez.org/

Photo: Benjamin Mela

Arkady Dvorkovich meets with President of Argentina

editor_d — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 21:44:06 +0000

On October 12, 2022, the FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich was received by the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández. During the meeting, they discussed how to promote chess in schools and youth chess. The meeting with the President was part of the program dedicated to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Argentinian Chess Federation, one of the founder members of FIDE.

Alberto Fernandez vehemently expressed his full support for chess. One of the possibilities that were discussed was the opportunity to hold Chess Olympiad in South America in 2028, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Buenos Aires Chess Olympiad in 1978.

The FIDE president also met with Gabriel Lerner, Secretary of State for Youth, Family, and Social Development. They discussed the multiple applications of chess as a social tool, giving some best-practice examples for chess in prisons, for seniors, et cetera.

Another important meeting took place with Conrado Carrasco Quintana, a representative of the Ministry of Sports and the person responsible for the sports federations in Argentina. The organisation of chess competitions of different levels was the main topic of discussion.

Arkady Dvorkovich also met with Daniel Osvaldo Scioli, one of the most influential political figures in Argentina. Current Minister of Productive Development, Scioli is a former Governor of the Buenos Aires province, Argentina’s vice-president, and President of the Senate. Apart from his career as a politician and as a businessman, Scioli has been a prominent sportsperson who competed in swimming, tennis, basketball, and then offshore powerboat racing, a discipline in which he won many titles. Of course, such a competitive person also loves chess!

Naturally, the FIDE president also visited the “Pro-Am International Chess Tournament” held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Argentinian Chess Federation.

With a total of 173 players and 20 Grandmasters, this is the strongest tournament held in Argentina since the World Championship in San Luis in 2005.

Argentinean Women’s Championship: Fernandez clinches fifth title

KN — Thu, 12 May 2022 12:56:08 +0000

Maria Florencia Fernandez is a new Argentinian Women’s champion. WIM representing UNTREF FAOGBA won the fifth national title in her career, scoring 7½/9.

The 73rd edition of the Argentinean Women’s Superior Chess Championship took place at the University of La Punta San Luis from May 1-8. The 9-round Swiss tournament with classical time control brought together 44 players from different parts of the country.

Maria Florencia Fernandez started off with five straight victories but suffered defeat in Round 6 at the hands of her main competitor, the top-rated Candela Francisco Guecamburu, who grabbed the lead. Still, it came down to the wire in the end with three players coming into the final round as joint leaders on 6½/8.

Fernandez scored a very important victory over Florencia Semprevivo and clinched the title after her main rivals Anapaola Borda Rodas and Candela Francisco Guecamburu drew their last-round game and tied for second place.

The Buchholz variable favoured Francisco Guecamburu, who took silver, while Borda Rodas had to settle for bronze.

Final standings:

1	WIM	FERNANDEZ, Maria Florencia	2195	7½
2	WFM	FRANCISCO GUECAMBURU, Candela	2231	7
3	WFM	BORDA RODAS, Anapaola	2141	7
4	WIM	ZURIEL, Marisa	2151	6½
5	WFM	CAMPOS, Maria Jose	2174	6½
6		SEMPREVIVO, Florencia	1946	6
7	WFM	NEJANKY, Maisa	1929	6
8	WCM	BOSCO, Giuliana	1803	6
9		MAYEREGGER, Guadalupe Milagros	1731	6
10		RAMIREZ, Marysol	1714	5½

Photo credit: federacionargentinadeajedrez.org