Uruguayan Championship: Roselli wins third straight title
IM Bernardo Roselli won the XCII Final of the Uruguayan Chess Championship. The 11-player round robin (initially, there were twelve participants, but FM Nicolás López Azamubja withdrew right before the start) took place at the Ministry for Transport in the city of Montevideo in November-December of 2021. Playing for Club Banco República, the champion netted 7½ points out of 10 and scored his third consecutive victory in the event, reaching the record-breaking 20-national-titles mark. With this achievement, Roselli qualified for the Uruguayan national team to represent the country next July at the World Chess Olympiad in Russia. Young 17-year-old CM Facundo Vázquez Furtado, also representing Club Banco República, tied for the second place with MI Nahuel Diaz Hollemaert (both on 7/9) and earned silver thanks to the victory their direct encounter. Facundo fell just a half a point short of completing the IM norm, although, with this spectacular performance, he picked up the necessary rating points to obtain the FIDE Master title. Undoubtedly, he infused a fresh spirit into Uruguayan chess and sent a great message to other young players – dedication, determination and commitment work miracles. The bronze winner, IM Nahuel Diaz Hollemaert, had a bumpy start but scored a magnificent 6½/7 at the finish. The event, officiated by IA Dr. Jorge Bermúdez and Deputy Arbiter IA Guillermo Carvalho, was broadcast on chessbomb.com, chess.com, live.followchess.com and playchess.com. CM Dr. Jorge Arias Bouzada served as a tournament director. Final standings: 1 IM Roselli, Mailhe Bernardo 2428 7½ 2 CM Vazquez, Facundo 2163 7 3 IM Diaz, Hollemaert Nahuel 2441 7 4 IM Coppola, Claudio 2248 5½ 5 IM Rhodes, Luis Ernesto 2358 5 6 FM Larrea, Manuel 2222 4½ 7 NM Ulaneo, Nicolas 2164 4½ 8 FM Carbone, Diego 2236 4 9 GM Hoffman, Alexander 2440 3½ 10 NM Michailov, Matias 2262 3½ 11 FM Granara, Barretto Sebastian 2156 2 Text and photo: Matías Michailov