Cuba’s Linares wins her 4th chess title!

Daaim Shabazz March 11, 2023

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Oleiny Linares Napoles won her 4th national title during the Cuban women’s championship from February 9th-20th. The event was a 12-player round-robin taking place in José Raúl Capablanca Academy in Camagüey. Linares has been a regular on The Chess Drum and was last featured after winning her 3rd championship. The Santiago de Cuba famously won a silver medal at the 2008 Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany. Her latest feat was a great challenge as the result was still in doubt in the last round.

WGM Oleiny Linares emerged as the winner of the 57th Cuban Women’s Championship, winning her third national title. ??
The event took place in the José Raúl Capablanca Academy in Camagüey from February 09-20.

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— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) February 21, 2023

According to the FIDE report,

In a dramatic final round, Ordaz suffered a defeat with the white pieces at the hands of Yaniela Forgas, whereas Linares drew her game with Yoana Gonzalez and clinched the title by scoring 8.5/11. The champion became the only paricipant to complete the tournament unbeaten. Lisandra Ordaz had to settle for silver.

Yerisbel Miranda finished on 7/11 and took bronze.

*Oleiny Linares (right) facing the London System from Lisandra Ordaz*

Linares had reached a peak of 2378, but in recent times has seen a rating decline of below-2200. However, this title shows that she is still capable of competing at a high level. The Chess Drum community would like to congratulate Ms. Linares on her latest accomplishment!

Final Standings

1	WGM	Linares Napoles, Oleiny	2179	8½
2	IM	Ordaz Valdes, Lisandra	2312	8
3	WGM	Miranda Llanes, Yerisbel	2269	7
4	WGM	Forgas Moreno, Yaniela	2304	6½
5	WGM	Arribas Robaina, Maritza	2225	6
6	WFM	Muniz Guevara, Amanda	2057	5½
7	FM	Hernandez Machado, Patricia	2143	5½
8	WIM	Hernandez Gil, Ineymig	2158	4½
9	WIM	Gonzalez Ochoa, Yoana	2104	4½
10	WIM	Obregon Garcia, Roxangel	2158	4
11	WFM	Gutierrez Espinosa, Karen	2110	3½
12	WFM	Cabrera Ladron, Mayra	1923	2½