Cuban Yasser Quesada began his participation in the annual Pedro Henríquez Ureña International Chess Classic in Memoriam of Santo Domingo 2022, in the Dominican Republic, with a long-awaited victory.

Havana, September 17 (RHC)-- Cuban Yasser Quesada began his participation in the annual Pedro Henríquez Ureña International Chess Classic in Memoriam of Santo Domingo 2022, in the Dominican Republic, with a long-awaited victory.

The chess player from Villa Clara, reigning national champion, defeated the host Gian Carlo Arvelo and was among the 10 winners of a first round without draws.

Yasser has the second best Elo of the competition, with 2,580 points, and is a clear favorite to win the crown. On his way he will meet the resistance of top-ranked contenders, such as Argentina's Fernando Peralta (2,600), U.S. representative Alejandro Ramirez (2,561) and Spain's Jose Fernando Cuenca (2,553).

All of them had a successful debut on Friday, as did Mexico's Manuel Leon Hoyos (2,491) and host Josue Araujo (2,281).

The tournament was agreed to nine rounds by the Swiss System with only 20 contestants, most of them from the host country and with a lower level than those mentioned above.

Other players from the island are also playing in the International and National Chess Tournament of Mexico City 2022, some of them with remarkable results.

In that group is the member of the recent Olympic team, Luis Ernesto Quesada, who accumulates 2.5 points out of a possible three and ranks 13th among the 90 registered players.

With half a point more are also Cubans Lennis Martinez and Elier Miranda, who advance in the sextet that so far has a perfect pace, according to the specialized site www.chess-results.com.

Peru's Jose Eduardo Martinez and Kevin Joel Cori, France's Gabriel Flom and Chile's Matias Perez complete the group with three victories.

Cuba's Yerisbel Miranda, with recent Olympic experience, lost in the third round against Cori and with two units is in 22nd place in the ranking.