The Absolute Continental Chess Championship of the Americas 2024, “Jorge Vega In Memoria”, took place in Medellín, Colombia, from May 24 to June 2, 2024. The competition, an 11-round Swiss tournament with classical time control, attracted 387 players (including ten Grandmasters) from 18 countries. The total prize pool was $23,000, with $8,000 reserved for the champion.

To the delight of the local chess community, GM Roberto García Pantoja (Colombia) took the prestigious title for the first time in the history of Colombian chess.

Up to the midpoint it was a very close race for the top position, but in Rounds 6-10 the Colombian GM notched up five straight victories and pulled away. Going to the final round a full point ahead of his closest competitors, he made a quick draw with IM Renato Terry from Peru to secure gold with an impressive score of 9.5/11  

A huge group of 11 players, including the top seed Jeffery Xiong and 10-year-old chess prodigy from Argentina FM Faustino Oro, finished a point behind the champion and tied for second place. The four top finishers punched their tickets to the FIDE World Cup 2025.

Lelys Stanley Martinez Duany emerged as the winner of the rapid event, whereas Luis Ernesto Quesada Perez won the blitz tournament. 

Final standings:

Complete final standings

The event featured special guests visiting Colombia for the first time. Former World Champion, Bulgarian GM Veselin Topalov, in a first for the country, visited a hospital and a prison. He also gave simultaneous exhibitions in different locations around Medellín, where he was warmly received by hundreds of fans and shared enjoyable moments.

One of the event's highlights was undoubtedly the commentary team, which included Spanish GM José "Pepe" Cuenca, the top Colombian Chess YouTuber, and the highly popular streamer FM José Luis Castañeda "PupiloChess," alongside Colombian FM Mauricio Ríos.

Photos: Federación Colombiana de Ajedrez Facebook