The Panama Chess Federation organized the 2nd Panama Chess Open from 27th November to 2nd December at the Hotel Central Park El Dorado in Ciudad de Panamá.

GM-elect Eric Hansen from Canada convincingly won the event with 8,5 points from nine games, leaving the nearest followers point and a half behind. In the course of the tournament he defeated Grandmasters Emilio Cordova, Mihail Marin and Yunsel Bacallao Alonso to earn 30 elo points.

Hansen fulfilled the requirements for Grandmaster title in two consecutive competitions – Isthmia Open in Greece and Chess Olympiad in Istanbul. He is waiting for four months for his title to be approved at the next FIDE PB.


Following the closing ceremony Hansen stated for Chessdom: “I had my best tournament ever here in Panama. The hotel was high class, the weather was beautiful, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. I usually perform better in these conditions, just like when I made my first GM norm in Greece this summer. I’m very happy about my play as I managed to get a comfortable position out of the opening in every game and played confidently afterwards.”

Hansen won 1500 USD for the effort.

IM Rafael Prasca Sosa from Venezuela shared the second place with GM Emilio Cordova (Peru) and claimed a GM norm.

FM Aman Hambleton, also from Canada, earned IM norm. Full standings bellow.


The Panama Open was conveniently set right after the UNAM Gran Fiesta in Mexico (20-25th November) and before the ITT Bolivarian in Bogota, Colombia (5-9th December). Official website.

Final standings (top 25):

1 IM Hansen Eric CAN 2539 – 8.5
2 IM Prasca Sosa Rafael VEN 2415 – 7
3 GM Cordova Emilio PER 2568 – 7
4 IM Hevia Alejano Carlos Antonio CUB 2508 – 6.5
5 GM Almeida Quintana Omar CUB 2519 – 6.5
6 GM Marin Mihail ROU 2547 – 6.5
7 GM Bacallao Alonso Yusnel CUB 2580 – 6.5
8 FM Hambleton Aman CAN 2404 – 6
9 FM Obregon Rivero Juan Carlos CUB 2480 – 6
10 FM Delgado Ramos Hector CUB 2478 – 6
11 FM Fernandez Cardoso Alexey CUB 2447 – 6
12 IM Bassan Remo VEN 2272 – 6
13 GM Arencibia Rodriguez Walter CUB 2526 – 6
14 GM Quesada Perez Yuniesky CUB 2604 – 5.5
15 FM Vera Siguenas Deivy PER 2396 – 5.5
16 IM Gomez Garrido Camilo Ernesto CUB 2510 – 5.5
17 Fernandez Fernando PER 2311 – 5.5
18 IM Kjartansonn Gudmundur ISL 2394 – 5.5
19 GM Hernandez Carmenate Holden CUB 2562 – 5.5
20 WGM Ordaz Valdes Lisandra Teresa CUB 2350 – 5.5
21 WIM Llaudy Pupo Lisandra CUB 2258 – 5.5
22 FM Pacheco Marco PER 2377 – 5.5
23 Ramos Efren Andres NCA 2166 – 5.5
24 CM Mathews Cesar PAN 1981 – 5.5
25 GM Borges Matos Juan CUB 2453 – 5

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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