GM Sandro Mareco (Argentina) emerged as the winner of the VIII Iberoamericano Championship, a 9-round Swiss tournament that brought together over 150 players (including 17 GMs) from Iberian America and Spain. The event took place in the Complejo Cultural Los Pinos, Mexico, from 12–19 February 2022. In addition to a regular prize fund, special prizes for top-5 women and top-5 youngsters under 18 were established.  

The FIDE delegation – President Arkady Dvorkovich, managing director Dana Reizniece-Ozola and executive director Viktor Bologan – participated in the opening ceremony as part of their Latin American tour.

As it often happens in Swiss tournaments, it all boiled down to the final round. Jaime Latasa Santos was the sole leader on 7 points, but he faced a real challenge of holding his own against the rating-favourite Jorge Cori with Black. Juan Carlos Obregon Rivero, Guillermo Vazquez and Sandro Mareco trailed the leader by a half-point, with the first two playing one another.

In the final round, Jorge Cori made a quick work of Santos Latasa and caught up with the leader, whereas Juan Carlos Obregon Rivero and Guillermo Vazquez split a point in a fierce battle. Meanwhile, Sandro Mareco (pictured below) gradually outplayed Omar Almeida Quintana with black pieces and finished clear first with an excellent result of 7½/9. The second-rated native of Huedo, Argentina, received a check for $3,500 for his victory.

A large group of players netted 7/9 and tied for second place, with Jaime Santos Latasa and Guillermo Vazquez taking second and third prizes respectively by dint of better tiebreaks.

Final standings:

Official website: iberoamericano.fenamacajedrez.com/

Photo: Fenamac Ajedrez Facebook page