14ymedio, Havana, 15 February 2024 — After a National Championship without sorrow or glory, Cuban chess now has a new leader. Luis Quesada, from Ciego de Ávila, was crowned after a tense mini tournament of quick games against the other two favorites, Omar Almeida – whose victory was almost taken for granted until the last moment – and Carlos Daniel Albornoz.
At the end of the tenth round of the tournament, held in Holguín, this Wednesday, Michel Díaz, from Las Tunas, demanded a review of his game against Almeida, and the referees declared it a draw. The decision cost the habanero an exhausting series of quick games against Albornoz, whom he dispatched without difficulty, and Quesada, against whom he failed in the second round. It was the fifth time that Quesada competed for the crown of Cuban chess.
Of the 26 registered competitors, Albornoz had accumulated 6.5 points after agreeing on draws this Wednesday with Lelys Martínez, the same as Almeida and Quesada. With 6 points, they were followed by Martínez and Dulan Berdayes, and by Kemel Gallo with 5.5, whose victory against Rider Díaz was more than fruitful: not only did he finish in sixth place in the championship, but he added 49 points to his Elo coefficient* – now 2,348 – and achieved his second International Master title.
The confrontation between Albornoz, Quesada and Almeida was seen coming from their triple draw this Tuesday
The confrontation between Albornoz, Quesada and Almeida was seen coming from their triple draw this Tuesday. The Cuban Chess Federation, which covered each segment of the competition, attributed to Almeida more chances of winning, although it did n
