José Martínez Alcántara Dominates Cancun Chess Festival

Grandmaster José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara emerged victorious at the Cancun Chess Festival, clinching the title in the Master category. He scored an impressive 11 out of a possible 12 points. The tournament took place at the Ka’Yok’ Planetarium and received support from the National Chess Federation of Mexico and the México Chess Talent program. Martínez Alcántara outshone his competitors, with Grandmaster Daniel Albornoz Cabrera trailing behind in second place with 7 points, and Grandmaster Juan Carlos Obregón in third place with 4 points. International Master Sion Galaviz secured fourth place with 3 points.

The closing ceremony was held at the Planetarium auditorium and was graced by Juan Carlos Obregón, Tania Martínez González, director of the Ka’Yok’ Planetarium, and Isaac Pérez Coral, president of the Quintana Roo Chess Association. The children's categories also saw some promising talent. Diego Carrasco Zanini Perles Blanco won the Under-10 category, followed by Franco Villaseñor and Alik Segura. Gerardo Tapia clinched the top spot in the Under-12 category, with Brisa Esquivel and Leonardo Valle rounding out the top three.

In the Amateur category, Guillermo Santiyana reigned supreme with an unbeaten record of 4.5 points. Mario Jiménez and Mateo Acosta came in second and third, respectively.

The Free category saw significant participation from Quintana Roo athletes. Reinero Gómez and Greter Caballero were the standout performers. Additionally, Danielle Rodríguez was recognized as the best child player, and Ramiro Romay as the best senior player. The category was won by Daniel Hidalgo, who also maintained an unbeaten record with 4.5 points. Óscar Pérez, Lisandro Fernández, Greter Caballero, and Reinero Gómez rounded out the top five.

The Cancun Chess Festival was a resounding success, showcasing not only international talent but also promoting local prospects. With the support of the Benito Juárez Sports Institute, CODEQ, and the Ka’Yok’ Planetarium, the event helped establish Cancun as a hub for promoting chess on both a national and international scale.