GM Sergio Barrientos and WIM Melissa Castrillon Gomez clinched the titles of Columbian chess champions. The national championship was held in Fusagasuga in open and women sections from December 1 to December 8. Both competitions were 12-player round-robin tournaments with the time control of 90 min /40 moves + 30 min/end +30-sec increment starting from the first move.
Sergio Barrientos took the open section by storm scoring 9½ points out of 11. The Medellin-born GM conceded just three draws to his opponents winning eight games. Esteban Valderrama Quiceno finished 1½ points behind the champion and took silver, but most importantly he completed his first GM-norm. David Arenas rounded out the top three claiming bronze.
Final standings open:
1. GM Barrientos Sergio (2463) – 9½
2. IM Valderrama Quiceno Esteban (2424) – 8
3. GM Arenas David (2452) – 7½
4. GM Rios Cristhian Camilo (2464) – 7
5. IM Sanchez Sebastian Felipe (2431) – 6½
6. GM Ruiz Castillo Joshua Daniel (2501) – 6½
7. IM Panesso Rivera Henry (2355) – 5½
8. FM Soto Miguel Angel (2291) – 5
9. IM Avila Pavas Santiago (2399) – 4
10. FM Quinones Garcia Santiago (2233) – 3½
11. FM Lozano Ramirez Nestor Favian (2234) – 1½
12. FM Becerra Juan David (2351) – 1½
Ironically, the top trio in women’s competition netted the same amount of points as the podium in the open tournament. WIM Melissa Castrillon Gomez was unrivaled in the women’s championship finishing 1½ points clear of WIM Valentina Argote Heredia. Lizeth Chirivi Angie overtook several higher-rated opponents and secured bronze.
Finals standings women:
1. WIM Castrillon Gomez Melissa (2172) – 9½
2. WIM Argote Heredia Valentina (2192) – 8
3. WFM Chirivi Angie Lizeth (1991) – 7½
4. WIM Chirivi C Jenny Astrid (2093) – 6½
5. WIM Orozco Lina Yomayra (2065) – 6
6. WCM Viveros Erica Johana (1963) – 5½
7. WFM Pachon Adriana (2037) – 5½
8. WIM Ramirez Heimy Polgar (2077) – 5
9. Macias Chavarro Manuela (1741) – 4½
10. Moncada Correa Sara (1897) – 3½
11. Hernandez Bermudez Manuela (1638) – 3
12. WFM Pulido Diana Marcela (1916) – 2
