Havana, November 29 (RHC) – Victories for three of the four Cuban players marked the start of the Gran Bali Hotel International Chess Festival in Benidorm, Spain, whose main group features 206 contestants from 41 countries.
Playing black, the top-ranked player on the island, Carlos Daniel Albornoz, defeated the host, Francisco Javier Jiménez, in 31 moves of an English Opening. Ernesto Fernández achieved a similar result against fellow Cuban Miguel Álvarez.
That match was decided in 47 moves of another English Opening, and both winners now join a group of 82 players, which also includes Leancy Fernández, who defeated German Dominik Damian Valledor.
Maritza Arribas drew her debut match against Turkish player Orkun Dizdar and will face Frenchman David Maloberti in her next game.
Albornoz will face Spaniard Daniel Navarro, while Ernesto will play against Swedish Pether Olsson. Both matches appear relatively straightforward for the Cubans to secure their second victories. Leancy might face a slightly tougher challenge against Alejandro Domingo, another local player.
The tournament will be played over nine rounds using the Swiss system. As part of the Festival at the same venue, the 16th Spanish Team Chess Cup, the 20th edition of the New Generations Tournament, and the National Mixed Pairs Blitz Championship will also take place.
