Last Sunday, October 26th, the 20th South American Youth Chess Championship (under 20) concluded at the Hotel Oro Verde in Guayaquil.
The event awards the winner the title of International Master and a Grandmaster Norm for the Open tournament.
In the Women's series, the winner receives the title of Women's International Master and a Women's Grandmaster Norm.
Main Standings
OPEN, 50 players, 9 rounds
1. FM Christopher GARZÓN ZAPATANGA - ECUADOR - 7 pts
2. Santiago CASARES UGUETO - VENEZUELA - 6,5 pts
3. FM Mauricio MARRUJO PARDO - CHILE - 5,5 pts
FEMENINO, 16 players, 9 rounds
1. WFM Nicole MOGOLLÓN TOBAR - COLOMBIA - 8,5 pts
2. FM Fiorella CONTRERAS HUAMÁN - PERÚ - 7 pts
3. WCM Gloria YEPEZ MONTENEGRO - BOLIVIA - 6 pts
On October 21st and 23rd, the traditional Rapid and Blitz tournaments were held for both the Open and Women's categories as part of the South American Under 20 Chess Championship.
The top rankings for both events were as follows:
RAPID - Open - 9 rounds, 38 players
1. FM Cristhian REYES ZABALETA - PERÚ - 7,5 pts
2. CM Mavric MAYTA AIZA - BOLIVIA - 6,5 pts
3. Juan Esteban CABIATIVA - COLOMBIA - 6,5 pts
RAPID - Girls - 7 rondas, 11 participantes
1. FM Fiorella CONTRERAS HUAMÁN - PERÚ - 5,5 pts
2. María Cristina ECHEVERRÍA - ECUADOR - 5 pts
3. María Paz CHAMBA - ECUADOR - 4,5 pts
BLITZ - Open - 9 rounds, 52 players
1. CM Miyamu IACHINCHE ACERO - ECUADOR - 8 pts
2. FM Christopher GARZÓN ZAPATANGA - ECUADOR - 7,5 pts
3. CM Adriano LEVANO LOAYZA - PERÚ - 7 pts
BLITZ - Girls - 9 rounds, 22 players
1. FM Fiorella CONTRERAS HUAMÁN - PERÚ - 8,5 pts
2. WFM Ayme MARAVI CERON - PERÚ - 6 pts
3. María Paz CHAMBA GUERRERO- ECUADOR - 6 pts
Monday, October 20 - By Luis Álvarez León - FEDA Secretary
The first round already saw the first surprises, such as a draw on Board 1 between Colombian Serrano Márquez and Brazilian FIDE Master Silva and Kaua Márquez. No surprises were seen in the other games, with victories by Ecuadorians Cristhopher Garzón, Steve Badillo, Pablo Orozco, Icker Alarcón Vega, Matías Guerrero, and Miamu Piqnchiche standing out. In the women's draw, the notable surprise came from Ecuadorian María Paz Chamba, who achieved a draw with Colombian FIDE Master Nicole Mogollon Tobar. The initial victories of current National Champion Arlette Guerrero and Analia Miranda's defeat to the talented Fiorella Romero marked the beginning of the women's draw.
The second round of the same day took place at 4:00 PM, and the locals enjoyed a particularly pleasing victory with Steve Badillo over FIDE Master Arturo Cáceres of Paraguay, a hard-fought draw between Matías Guerrero and Argentine Grandmaster Candela Francisco, and victories for Ecuadorians Icker Alarcón and Matías Montaño. In the women's competition, the victories of Paula Oviedo of Paraguay over FIDE Master Ayme Maravi of Peru, and María Paz Chamba of Ecuador over Fiorella Romero, also of Ecuador, were particularly noteworthy.
After 2 rounds the standings are:
OPEN
1. Mauricio Marrujo CHILE 2pts
2. Mathius Ribeiro BRASIL 2pts
3. Cristian Reyes Zavaleta PERÚ 2 pts
4. Steve Badillo ECUADOR 2 pts
5. Icker Alarcón ECUADOR 2 pts
6. Matías Montaño ECUADOR 2 pts
GIRLS
1. Fiorella Contreras PERÚ2 pts
2. Gloria Yepez BOLIVIA 2 pts
3. Paula Oviedo PARAGUAY 2 pts
4. María Paz Chamba ECUADOR 1,5 pts.
5. Nicole Mogollon COLOMBIA 1,5 pts
Between October 19 and 25, the 2025 edition of the South American Junior Chess Tournaments will be held at the Oro Verde Hotel in the city of Guayaquil.
The event is organized by the Chess Confederation of America (CCA) in conjunction with the Ecuadorian Chess Federation (FEDA).