Chess · International
Lelys Martinez claims first Cuban chess title
Two closing-round wins carried Martinez to seven points in the Havana championship.
Source publication date:
Lelys Martinez won the Cuban national chess championship for the first time, scoring seven points from nine rounds. The classical Swiss-system competition took place at Havana’s Girasol Hotel from 4 to 12 February, with Martinez entering as the seventh seed.
Martinez first moved into the lead after round four, but four competitors shared first place by the end of round seven. His victory over Michel Díaz Pérez in the penultimate round restored a sole lead as the other contenders drew their games.
He then defeated Daniel Hidalgo with the black pieces in the final round to secure the title. Ermes Espinosa finished half a point behind after beating César Alejandro Pérez, earning silver. Defending champion Jorge Roberto Elías completed the podium with six points and the bronze medal.
Sources
Check the original record.
Open the governing body or organiser’s publication for the underlying result, decision or tournament update.