After one-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, the Cuban Women's Championship returned to Eradio Domínguez Provincial Chess Academy in Holguín. The 12-player round-robin, held from January 30 to February 12, 2022, brought together the best national female players (the top eight rated plus four qualifiers). For the first time, the participants played on smart boards.

The tournament turned into a close race between Yaniela Forgas, the defending champion Lisandra Ordaz (both pictured above) and Yerisbel Miranda Llanes, with the first two heading into the final round tied for the first place. Forgas scored a crucial victory over Yuleisy Hernández with black pieces and clinched the title as Ordaz managed only a draw in her game with the lowest-rated participant Zirka Frómeta.

Yerisbel Miranda Llanes jumped on the opportunity to catch up with Ordaz, and after prevailing over Gil Hernandez, she took silver thanks to better Sonneborn-Berger. Lisandra Ordaz had to settle for bronze.

"It was an intense fight from the beginning to the end. All the participants played giving their best," said the new champion, who netted 8½ out of 11 despite suffering two defeats.

The tournament statistics confirm Forgas' worlds about a tremendous competitive spirit reigning in the event. Indeed, only 21 games out of 66 were drawn.

Final standings:

Photo: Federación Cubana de Ajedrez