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A Cuban teenager won the bronze medal in the girls' under-15 competition of the School Chess World Championship in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, and was the only Ibero-American contestant to reach the podium.
The matancera Liennys Ferrer Naranjo, Central American champion among those under 14 years old in 2023, achieved six points in nine rounds with a record of four victories, four draws, and only one loss, as reported by the local press.
The 14-year-old chess player was the only Cuban representative at the event and triumphed among 25 girls under 15 years old. With her performance, she added 23 points to her rating of 1950.
The championship took place in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, from March 19 to 29, 2025, under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Ferrer was preceded on the podium by the Uzbek Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva (gold) and the Kazakh Malika Japparbekova (silver).
The other Latin American contestant, the Peruvian Dayana Nievevska Torres, finished in twelfth place with four points.
The competition was divided into six categories, and each event consisted of nine rounds, with a game time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increments.
The president of the Cuban Chess Federation, Carlos Rivero, informed the state-run sports media JIT that the result was "the result of the work being done on the Island with talented children," without mentioning the terrible conditions faced by Cuban athletes and the efforts of parents who invest time and money to support their children's development.
Years ago, with 6.5 out of a possible 9 points, the Cuban Alaín Otero became the runner-up in the Sub-17 category at the School Chess World Championship, which was held in Panama at that time.
The Havana chess player rounded off a performance of five victories, three draws, and one lone defeat, achieving a score half a point lower than that of Peruvian champion Henry Richard Vázquez.
Cuban chess is trying to regain its footing after the key figures of its once competitive Olympic team (Leinier Domínguez, Lázaro Bruzón, and Yuniesky Quesada) chose to reside in the United States.
Frequently asked questions about Liennys Ferrer Naranjo's achievement in the School Chess World Championship
Who is Liennys Ferrer Naranjo and what did he achieve at the School Chess World Championship?
Liennys Ferrer Naranjo is a Cuban chess player who won the bronze medal in the female under-15 category at the School Chess World Championship held in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia. Ferrer stood out as the only Ibero-American contestant to reach the podium in this competition.
How did Liennys Ferrer perform in the tournament?
Liennys Ferrer Naranjo achieved a total of six points in nine rounds, with a record of four victories, four draws, and a single loss. His performance allowed him to add 23 points to his rating of 1950.
What does Liennys Ferrer's achievement mean for Cuban chess?
Liennys Ferrer's achievement represents a hope for the revival of Cuban chess, especially after the exodus of its key figures such as Leinier Domínguez and Lázaro Bruzón to the United States. His bronze medal highlights the ability to nurture young talent in Cuba, despite the challenging conditions faced by athletes in the country.
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