This year's edition of the 2025 Pan American Amateur Chess Tournament was held in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, from June 22nd to 29th.
The tournament was held in three categories: Under 2300, Under 2000, and Under 1700 FIDE ELO.
The event was organized by the National Chess Federation of Honduras (FENAH) in conjunction with FIDE America.
San Pedro Sula, Honduras. June 28, 2025
A new version of the 2025 Pan American Amateur Chess Tournament ended last Saturday, June 28. This event was held in three categories divided by FIDE ELO (rating): Under 2300, Under 2000, and Under 1700.
The winner was FIDE Master José Espinoza of Nicaragua, who finished with 7.5 points out of a possible 9. Espinoza maintained a perfect score of 7 points in 7 games, losing in round 8 but only needing a draw on the final day to secure his title.
In second place and one point behind the champion was Honduran FIDE Master José Chinchilla with 6.5 points. The local FM had a somewhat irregular start but managed to achieve the runner-up position thanks to an excellent score of 3.5 points in the last 4 rounds.
Finally, third place was shared with 5.5 points by 4 participants, but the Mexican Wilberth López took the bronze thanks to his superior tiebreak system.
For the Women's section in this category, the winners were Adriana Pachón (Colombia), Valeria Viana (Honduras), and Thauane Medeiros (Brazil).
The winners for best Under 16 and Under 12 players in this category were Marvin Guevara (El Salvador) and Santiago Guevara (El Salvador), respectively.
This category was highly contested, ultimately coming to an end after a hard-fought final round. Salvadoran Walter Coto Anaya ultimately won alone with a score of 7.5 points in 9 games.
Just half a point behind, young Nicaraguan (12 years old) Jasmany Castillo Romero finished runner-up. Both players were undefeated.
Finally, third place was shared by Siddarth Sriaditya Kunapuli (United States) and José Obregón (Honduras), both with scores of 6.5, but the North American ended up with the best tiebreaker and taking the bronze.
For the Women's series in this category, the winners were Anahí Muñoz (Nicaragua), Michelle Ferrufino (Nicaragua), and Jessica Lauser (United States).
The winners in the underage categories were: Under 18 Jorge Moreno (Honduras), Under 16 Mario Ángeles Vera (Mexico), Under 14 Liang Pérez (Nicaragua), and Under 12 Oscar Gradiz (Honduras).
In the underage girls' categories: Under 16 Diana Bobadilla, Under 14 Gimena Trujillo, and Under 10 Mirna Mendoza (Honduras).
In this category, the undisputed champion was Colombian Ricardo Guayara Vera. Despite starting with a draw in the first round, he achieved six consecutive victories, which, combined with two final draws, gave him the title with 7.5 points. points
Second place was shared by three participants with 7 points, with silver going to Honduran Guillermo Rivera Mejía and bronze to Mexican Daniel Rivera Villa. Fourth place, on a tiebreaker, went to fellow Mexican Juan Ramirez Campos.
For the Women's Section in this category, the winners were Melany Rosa (Guatemala), Angela Merino (Honduras), and Cesia Madariaga (Honduras).
The winners in the under-age categories: Under-18 - André Palencia (Honduras), Under-16 Eliseo López (Nicaragua), Under-14 Nathan Mintz (United States), Under-12 Dominick Jarrin (Panama), and Under-10 Draxler Funes (Honduras)
In the under-age girls' categories: Under-16 - Heaven Alvarenga (Honduras)
San Pedro Sula, Honduras. June 27, 2025
The President of FIDE America, Panamanian José Carrillo, was present at the start of the seventh round of the tournament, where he gave a few general remarks and shared with the participants, organizers, and arbiters, then watched games of emerging young talents in the area.
"Very pleased with the effort everyone is making, for the opportunity to visit you, and the attention you received. I can only congratulate you. Much encouragement and many flags."
San Pedro Sula, Honduras. June 26, 2025
San Pedro Sula, Honduras. June 25, 2025
After 3 days of competition and 5 rounds played, the 2025 Pan American Amateur Chess Tournament begins its final stretch.
In each of the 3 categories, we already find the main leaders who are poised to take the title.
In the Under 2300 category, the current leader is Nicaraguan FIDE Master José Espinoza, who has a perfect score of 5 points, already 1 point behind his closest rival, Mexican Wilberth López, who has 4 points and has only lost one game, precisely against the leader of the competition.
In third place with 3.5 points is Honduran Walter Martínez, who will face the leader in round 6.
This category features the closest competition, with no fewer than four leaders—all with 4 points thanks to three wins and two draws.
The group is led by a tiebreaker by Walter Coto from El Salvador, followed by Jasmany Castillo from Nicaragua (12 years old!). In third place with the same score is Rogelio Hernández from Mexico (who will face Coto in Round 6), while closing the group of leaders are American Siddarth Sriaditya Kunapuli and Guatemalan Dietmar Reinhard, who will face each other.
In this series, the only leader with a perfect score of 5 points is Mexican Javier Cruz Ocaña, followed by American Nathan Mintz and Colombian Ricardo Guayara, both with 4.5 points. Cruz will face Guayara in Round 6.
The tournament continues this Thursday, June 26th with the sixth round starting at 3:30 PM local time.
With the participation of more than 100 players from different countries, the 2025 Pan American Amateur Chess Tournament began in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
This event brings together chess players from various categories, including the Under 2300, Under 2000, and Under 1700 FIDE ELO categories.
The event takes place at the Hotel Victoria, located in the western part of the city.
Each of the three categories is played over a total of 9 rounds, with a 90-minute time limit for the entire match, with a 30-second increment per move.
The tournament is directed by IO Juan Carlos Hernández, and the referee is AI Mario Garay.
