Cuban Chess Player Favored to Win Latin American Cup

HAVANA TIMES — Cuban Grand Master Isan Ortiz is considered a favorite to win the 3rd Latin American Chess Cup, a competition that will begin today in the Colombian city of Cali on October 9, reported the Prensa Latina news agency.

Ortiz, the holder of an average of 2,579 ELO points, will have to demonstrate his prowess against rivals such as his compatriots Omar Almeida (2,520) and Juan Borges (2,443), and hosts Sergio Barrientos (2,493) and International Master Alder Escobar (2,483).

For his part, Cuba’s Leinier Dominguez reached only tenth place in the grand prix of chess, which ended on Wednesday in London and was won by the Bulgarian player Veselin Topalov.