Guatemala hosts first National University Sports Games chess competition

Chess made its debut at the first National University Sports Games 2026 in Guatemala. The competition, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports through the Vice Ministry of Sport and Recreation, took place at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG).

The men's division followed a Swiss system across seven rounds. José Pinzón, a mechanical engineering student at UVG, secured first place in the men's category. The women's podium included Kristel Karina Grajales Sandoval from USAC, Ana Lucía Ramo from URL, and Fátima Guadalupe Montenegro Pirir from URL.

Ricardo José Alvarado, Vice Minister of Sport and Recreation, attended the event to present awards and encourage student-athletes to balance their academic and sporting pursuits.