Argentina Chess Champions Crowned: Diego Flores and Marisa Zuriel

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013

Hi everyone, 

Argentina National Chess Champions: 

Diego Flores and Marisa Zuriel

Some latest tournament chess news from Latin America: A Fide chess news update states that the Argentina Federation of Chess (FADA) and Ing. Mario Petrucci have helped renew the 87th "Argentina Major National Tournament" and the 65th "Major Women Tournament". With help from the Marcel Duchamp Organization (Doctor Eduardo Moccero and the OI Blas Pingas) both contributed a donation of U$S 9,000.00 in prizes), the chess events were conducted at the Villa Martelli Chess premises. A total of 53 players (men and women) competed in this event. 

The Open section was won by GM Diego Flores (30) from Junin with a score of 8.5 over 11. This is his third Argentina National Title after having won it in 2005 and 2009. After winning the tournament GM Diego Flores said: "Now I'm a little calmer, I know that I have a secure place to play the Olympics in Norway." Flores is the third best player in the country, behind Fernando Peralta (2632) and Anton Kovalyov (2606) with a rating of 2600 now.

The second place went to Mario Villanueva who was the only one to beat Flores (in the seventh round) Villanueva also earned his IM title and a GM norm for his performance. Also, talented youngster Alan Pichiot (14) earned his his first IM norm.

The Women's section saw Marisa Zuriel recover from two straight losses to win the next five games and the event. The two runners-up were Ayelen Martinez, 2011 champion and student from the “Escuela de Talentos de la Universidad de La Punta, San Luis, Argentina as well as the 2011 Champion and Florencia Fernandez. 

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