Jonny Cueto and Jhoana Velarde win Bolivian National Open Chess Tournament

International Master Jonny Cueto and Jhoana Velarde emerged as the winners of the ‘I Open Independencia de Bolivia’ national chess tournament held in Santa Cruz.

The competition, organized by the La Jugada Maestra Chess Club, the Santa Cruz association, and the Bolivian Chess Federation, featured 78 participants. In the men's division, a three-way tie at 6 points between Cueto, Ariel Martínez, and Rodrigo Mendoza was resolved via a tie-break system, awarding Cueto first place. Martínez took second, and Mendoza finished third.

In the women's division, a four-way tie at 4.5 points occurred between Velarde, Kirsten Veizaga, Valeska Solari, and Marie Jane Pusarico. Following the tie-break process, Velarde was declared the winner, followed by Veizaga, Solari, and Pusarico.