Cristo Rey School Boards Compete in World School Chess Championship

Four junior chess players from Cristo Rey School are set to represent Paraguay in the Americas stage of the World School Sport Science Chess Championship. The delegation has already arrived in San José, Costa Rica, where they will compete for a chance to advance to the final stage of the tournament, scheduled to take place in the USA later this year.

The qualifying event in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, will run from August 12 to 15. Cristo Rey School earned its spot in this international competition by winning the National Inter-school Championship organized by the Paraguayan Chess Federation (Feparaj). The four promising Paraguayan talents competing are Santino Dávalos (1520 Elo), Matías Maldonado (1598), Adrián Jara (1496), and Matías López (1445), alongside Giovanna Malvetti (1400).

They are accompanied by team captain Rossana Maldonado, delegate Vanessa Valleau, and FIDE delegate Andrés Riquelme. The tournament operates with continental team qualifiers, with the top teams advancing to a single final venue. Paraguay currently holds the 14th position among 29 participating schools from 25 American countries, and the team's primary objective is to enhance this ranking.

The eight-round qualifying competition begins this Wednesday and concludes on Saturday. The Paraguayan team will make their debut against Peru, a formidable opponent that boasts the tournament's top-seeded player and two of its strongest competitors. This marks a significant opportunity for these young athletes to gain international experience and showcase Paraguayan chess talent on a global stage.