GM Lelys Martinez emerged as the winner of the 2026 Cuban National Championship, claiming his first national title.
The Absolute National Chess Championship, a nine-round Swiss event with classical time control, was held at the Girasol Hotel in Havana from February 4–12.
Seventh seed Martinez seized the lead after Round 4, but three rounds later, four players – including Jorge Roberto Elías – caught up with him to tie for first place. In Round 8, the future champion scored a crucial victory over IM Michel Díaz Pérez and surged ahead as all his rivals drew their games.
Going into the final round a half-point ahead of three of his closest rivals, Martinez defeated IM Daniel Hidalgo with the Black pieces to secure the title with 7/9. Meanwhile, Ermes Espinosa prevailed over FM César Alejandro Pérez to take silver, finishing half a point behind the champion. The 2025 champion, Jorge Roberto Elías, rounded out the podium with bronze, scoring 6/9.