A year of non-stop work: the story behind the Peruvian school chess team, fifth in the world with 52 countries

News like this is fuel: a new achievement has been achieved by Peruvian chess, a sport that has often given the country much joy and this time has not been the exception. The Peruvian delegation of young talents managed to rank among the top five in the world at the World School Chess Championship, held in the city of Rhodes, Greece, from April 13 to 23.

With this result, Peru is positioned as a chess power and equals in the level of competitiveness to countries such as India, Azerbaijan, China and the United States.

On the Peruvian side, María Jiménez and Henry Vásquez, students from Colegio Saco Oliveros, stood out in the under-17 categories, who broke it by placing fourth and fifth in the event, which brought together the best chess exponents from 52 countries. of the world. How do you get such a result? Dante Soto Conde is the boys’ coach and has been key for the FIDE master, María Jiménez and Henry Vásquez to be able to compete in this tournament. “As for the boys, there was a plan: first, and perhaps most importantly, to continue to remain among the best school teams in the world. Second, understand that this is no coincidence: the boys train every day all year long, with the sole intention of standing up for the country. Third, the support of family and school. Training not only involves face-to-face training, but also routines with specialized software to be able to compete with the best”.

Brief biographies to know who could be the future Cori and Granda of the country. The FIDE master, María Jiménez, at only 16 years old, is a young chess promise and has already represented Peru in international tournaments. Among them, the gold medals won in the South American Youth Championship, sub 14 category, and the Pan American sub 18 championship, both in 2022. A native of Andahuaylas, Apurímac, from an early age he demonstrated his skills on the board and has has been improving thanks to the teachers of his current educational institution.

“I am very happy with this result. The competition has been very difficult and even, but in the end we have been able to place the country in the top 5 in the world, and this achievement fills the whole team with pride”, says Jiménez, with an inevitable twinkle in his eyes.

As for Henry Vásquez, although he could not repeat the great performance of last year in which he won the School Chess World Cup, he was placed in a creditable fifth place, after nine closely contested rounds, 1.5 points from first place. It should also be noted that, in 2021, he was part of the world runner-up team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In addition, other prominent chess players and schoolmates of María and Henry participated, such as Azumi Bravo (9th in the female under 17 category), Fabián Reyes (8th in the absolute under 17 category) and Fabiana Jiménez (19th in the absolute sub 11 category).

What comes next for young Peruvian chess players? The FIDE teacher, María Jiménez and Henry Vásquez already have commitments. “The youth championship that will be held in the United States and the continental school championships that will take place here in Lima in October and December respectively are coming up,” explains Professor Soto, excitedly.

Like the one Deysi Cori has, when she thinks about school chess and her breaks.