The champion title of the 1st Cape Verde International Chess Open remained in Cape Verde. IM Mariano Ortega, two-time National Champion of Cape Verde and African Champion of Zone 4.2, won the event, one of the 50 competitions in the world and seven in Africa financially supported by FIDE. Mariano Ortega tied for the first place with Yago De Moura Santiago of Brazil but claimed the title and trophy thanks to better tiebreaks. 

The winner highlighted the excellent level of the tournament that took place between April 25 and 30 in Mindelo, Sao Vicente, with 34 chess players from 10 countries participating.  

Ortega said his ambition was to make it into the top-3, but he did not expect to win. It was a great honour for him to take the title on his home turf. 

"It was a tournament of high level, with great masters, including champions from Spain, Portugal and Serbia. And winning the tournament, competing with these masters and emerging as the best feels great. I enjoyed a great deal of support from my compatriots, with messages of encouragement to win."

There was a three-way tie for third place with GM Salvador Del Rio De Angelis of Spain making it to the podium by dint of superior Buchholz. WIM Tilsia Carolina Varela La Madrid from Venezuala (pictured below) became the best woman participant. 

"For a little over a week, chess was talked about all over the country. I think that after this Open Cape Verde 2022, the national chess and the country itself are strengthened in its image of welcoming and organizing," Francisco Carapinha, the president of the Cape Verdean Chess Federation, said. 

He added that all this was achieved through team work and effort, and expressed special thanks to all the staff involved. Without them and financial support from FIDE, it would be impossible to set up and run the tournament, which gave the archipelago considerable media exposure.

The Cape Verde Open, he stressed, was not just a chess competition; it was intended to promote the country. With this in mind, a tour to the island of Santo Antão was organized. "The visit was also a promotional card for the island and the municipality of Ribeira Grande".

Partnering in the organization of the International Chess Open of Cape Verde, the Institute of Sports and Youth emphasized the importance of the initiative by the national chess federation. With such competitions, the country can become a platform for international sports events.

Francisco Carapinha said that the next International Chess Open would be held in 2023 in Ribeira Grande on the island of Santo Antão.

Children of Santo Antão playing with the participants of the Cape Verde Open 2022

Final standings:

You can find the complete results here:
https://chess-results.com/tnr586027.aspx?lan=10

Text: Francisco Carapinha, President of the Cape Verdean Chess Federation