Two of the strongest Latin-american players obtained their entries to the upcoming World Cup in Tromso at the Torneo Zonal 2.3 played in San Jose, Costa Rica on 1st – 7th June. Lázaro Bruzón and Eduardo Iturrizaga got this privilege after finishing with 7.5/9 points.

The unlucky third place went for Cuban GM Yunieski Quesada, who arrived from a great performance at the Elite Group of the Capablanca Memorial in Havana. His two direct rivals have more experience on international competitions, and this factor might have been key in the final results.

Both Bruzón and Iturrizaga came from failing to qualify at the Americas Continental played in Bolivia, where none of them managed to arrive among the five first places that guaranteed a spot at the mentioned World Cup.

The event was played with a rather unbalanced line-up. It would have been a great surprise if either of the other eleven players would have overtaken the three favorites. The difference in Elo rating was simply too big. Thus, it is worth mentioning the performance of Costa Rican IM Leonardo Valdes, who finished fourth with 5.5 points.

Final Standings:

1 GM Bruzon Batista Lazaro CUB 2687 7.5
2 GM Iturrizaga Eduardo VEN 2645 7.5
3 GM Quesada Perez Yuniesky CUB 2631 7
4 IM Valdes Leonardo CRC 2436 5.5
5 IM Minero Pineda Sergio CRC 2410 5
6 IM Juarez Flores Carlos A. GUA 2404 5
7 Jimenez Garcia Emanuel CRC 2058 4.5
8 IM Ynojosa Felix Jose VEN 2401 4.5
9 FM Alfaro Rojas Alfonso CRC 2246 4
10 IM Gonzalez Bernal CRC 2466 4
11 IM Murillo Tsijli Alexis CRC 2301 3.5
12 FM Chinchilla Eugenio CRC 2199 3
13 FM Duran Vega Sergio CRC 2311 2
14 WFM Gamboa Alvarado Leticia CRC 1896 0

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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