The current year's Pan American Youth Chess Championship (Under 20 years old) was held between June 13 and 20 in Asunción, Paraguay.
The event was organized by the Paraguayan Chess Federation (FEPARAJ) in conjunction with FIDE América.
By Milciades Balbuena from Asunción, Paraguay. Images and Videos courtesy of Sebastián Mosqueira
After intense and exciting days, the 2025 Pan American Youth Chess Championship U20 came to a close in Asunción, crowning promising young players in the science of sports on the American continent..
The tournament, played under the Swiss system in nine rounds with a demanding game pace of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, delivered exciting outcomes and outstanding individual performances..
The US delegation clearly demonstrated their dominance with a resounding victory that secured the top spots on the podium. IM Jason Liang emerged victorious, taking the title with an impressive score of 7.5 points. Liang, who started the tournament among the favorites, showed resilience after a less favorable start and came back in the closing rounds with brilliant games that took him to the top..
Second place went to fellow American IM Nico Chasin, who finished with seven points. Chasin maintained a consistent performance throughout the tournament, becoming one of the event's undisputed protagonists. His athletic rivalry and camaraderie with Liang added to the appeal, highlighting the tournament's competitive yet friendly spirit..
The final surprise in the Senior category was WGM Zoey Tang, also from the United States, who finished third with 6.5 points. Tang, competing boldly in the Senior category, stood out not only for her tenacity and talent but also for breaking barriers and demonstrating that chess excellence transcends conventional categories.
The outcome confirmed American dominance in this edition, also highlighting the growing strength of young talents who will undoubtedly be key figures in future international events.
The women's category ended spectacularly with absolute Peruvian dominance. WIM María Teresa Jiménez Salas completed an impeccable tournament, taking the women's continental title with a brilliant score of 8 points. Jiménez Salas excelled with a steady and tactically precise play, establishing herself as a rising star in the women's junior chess world.
Close behind her, with 7.5 points, was fellow Peruvian WIM Fiorella Contreras, whose consistency and sophisticated strategy kept the excitement going until the final match. Contreras fought tirelessly, demonstrating remarkable growth and great promise for the near future.
Rounding out the women's podium was Peruvian WIM Kate Bravo, who secured third place with seven points. Bravo demonstrated admirable responsiveness in critical moments of the tournament, securing her podium position and contributing to Peru's dominance in this category.
Peru's success in the women's tournament highlights the sustained growth of women's chess in the region, reinforcing Peru's position as one of the leading countries in Latin America for developing youth chess talent.
The closing ceremony of the U20 Pan American Youth Championship was a true display of youth talent and competitiveness, highlighting not only the individual skill of the young players, but also the strengthening of science sports in the region..
The results of this edition confirm that the future of continental chess is in the hands of a promising generation that aspires to go even further on the international boards.
With these outstanding performances, both the United States and Peru emerge from the tournament strengthened, projecting their youthful talents toward upcoming international competitions, where they will surely continue to make history in global science sports.
By Milciades Balbuena from Asunción del Paraguay
The 2025 Pan American Youth Chess Championship U20 continues in Asunción with impressive moves and unexpected twists after completing five intense rounds. The movement, ensuring high tension and remarkable technical quality.
The fifth round marked a decisive day. The American International Master (IM) Evan Park consolidated his position as the sole leader of the tournament after defeating his compatriot, IM Nico Chasin, in a crucial and tense match. Park now has five perfect points, firmly positioning himself as the main candidate for the title. Here is the game that put IM Park in the lead:
Despite Park's solid performance, Bolivian IM Licael Ticona keeps his aspirations alive, located in second place with four points. Ticona has shown a combination of resilience and creativity in his previous games, standing out as a strong rival and potential contender for the championship.
One of the most striking and talked-about matches of the fifth round was played by Paraguayan CM Enzo Viñales, the current World School Champion, who faced Argentine WGM Candela Francisco, the current World Youth Women's Champion, competing in the absolute category. In a vibrant game full of bold moves, Viñales managed to impose himself, thus obtaining a significant victory that highlights his ability to face high-level challenges. Let's take a look at the game:
This result has particularly motivated the local audience, who celebrate Viñales' outstanding performance and hope to see him climb even higher in the upcoming rounds of the tournament.
The fight for the top has remained highly competitive and contested. After five rounds, Peruvian WMI María Teresa Jiménez has positioned herself as the provisional leader with 4.5 points. Jiménez has demonstrated remarkable consistency and tenacity in her games, making her a serious candidate for the continental title. Let's take a look at the last game of WMI Jiménez:
Behind her, the competition is fierce, and the players maintain a very even pace. Her compatriots, WMI Fiorella Contreras and Kate Bravo, are close behind in the fight for first place with 3.5 points each. Alongside them, sharing the same score, is Colombian Isabela Brito, who has maintained a solid and determined performance.
The parity in this category promises exciting days and decisive games in the remaining rounds. The pressure increases for all the contenders, aware that every move can mean the difference between reaching the title or falling by the wayside.
With each passing round, the atmosphere of the tournament intensifies. Players know they are in a critical phase, where concentration, patience, and creativity on the board will be decisive in achieving final success.
The Pan American Junior Championship continues to offer a first-class chess spectacle and is an ideal platform for detecting and promoting future stars of world chess. The upcoming rounds are expected to be decisive, as fans and experts eagerly await to find out who will ultimately be crowned the continent's junior champions.
By Milciades Balbuena from Asunción del Paraguay
With the promise of intense battles on the board, the prestigious Pan American Youth Chess Championship U20 2025 edition continues to unfold in Asunción. The third round brought significant surprises and results that began to define a clearer picture in the standings.
All eyes were on the main table, where American IM Nico Chasin faced local player Paraguayan MF Sebastián Melián. In an intense game full of complex strategies, both players agreed to a draw, marking the first major novelty of the day.
Another key game that ended in a draw was the one featuring American IM Jason Liang against Chilean MF Mauricio Marrujo. With these results, the Americans saw their initial supremacy partially diminished, although they remain strong candidates to contest the top positions until the end of the tournament.
The third member of the powerful American trident, IM Evan Park, did manage to impose his strength by achieving a decisive victory against Colombian IM Manuel Campos. This victory allows Park to position himself as the provisional leader with three points, although sharing the top spot with Bolivian MF Licael Ticona. Ticona, who showed great solidity in his previous games, achieved a crucial victory against CM Nitesh Chenukuri, benefiting significantly from the results of this third round.
The tiebreak system places the Bolivian in the first provisional position, standing out as one of the emerging favorites of the tournament. Let's take a look at the game between IM Nico Chasin and MF Sebastián Melián:
The competition continues to be especially close and exciting, confirming Peru's strength as a regional power in this category. After the third round, a quadruple tie occurred in the first position, with tiebreaks being decisive in establishing the provisional order at the top.
Peruvian WMI Kate Bravo leads this group thanks to her previous results that favor her in the tiebreak system. Very close and with a standout performance, Bolivian WCM Gloria Yepez pleasantly surprised by adding a key point in this round, just like Peruvian WMI María Teresa Jiménez. Both climbs have reinforced interest in the women's competition and clearly show how tight the tournament is.
Closing this leading group is the other Peruvian representative, WMI Fiorella Contreras, who did not achieve a complete victory in this round, having to settle for a draw, but who maintains her chances of obtaining the title intact. Let's take a look at the victory of WCM Gloria Yepez:
The excitement of the tournament continues to grow with each round, and players know they must maintain impeccable performance to sustain their positions. The tension and expectations are only increasing, demonstrating the importance of this championship as a fundamental platform for the development of youth chess in the Americas.
The upcoming rounds promise to further increase the intensity, with players determined to demonstrate their strategic skills and mental resilience. As the tournament progresses, the competition becomes fiercer, and every move could mark the difference between glory and oblivion. Undoubtedly, this Pan American Youth Championship is providing a spectacle worthy of the highest level of international youth chess.
By Milciades Balbuena from Asunción, Paraguay
With a promise of intense battles on the board and outstanding young talents, the prestigious 2025 Pan American Youth Chess Championship for Under-20 players kicked off in the Paraguayan capital. The competition, organized in a Swiss system format over nine rounds and with a demanding time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, brought together prominent figures from various countries across the Americas.
The tournament is held in two main categories, Open and Women’s, and from the very first moves, it promises to deliver vibrant and highly contested matches. The stage is set, and expectations are high regarding who will stand out in this event for young American chess players.
The first two rounds went by without major surprises. Eight competitors managed to maintain a perfect pace, accumulating two points each and positioning themselves as early leaders of the tournament. This select group includes a powerful trident of International Masters from the United States: Nico Chasin, Evan Park, and Jason Liang. The three, considered strong candidates for the title, displayed solid and strategic chess, reflecting their country's traditional dominance in this category.
However, behind them and with clear intentions to challenge, several young titled players from the region are emerging, promising to fight for the lead until the last game. Notably, MF Licael Ticona, representing Bolivia, is a player with great potential who showed impressive tenacity in his initial matches. Likewise, MF Sebastián Malián, a local player from Paraguay, remained firm and confident in his games, fueling hopes for a title for the host nation.
In addition, the participation of MF Mauricio Marrujo, hailing from Chile, and MI Manuel Campos from Colombia adds even more tension and quality to the tournament. With several days and rounds ahead, an intense chess spectacle is anticipated, where mental and physical endurance will be put to the test.
The women’s category has been no less exciting. Peru stands out as the provisional leader after the first rounds, thanks to the brilliant performance of its two International Masters, Fiorella Contreras and Kate Bravo. Both players have shown aggressive and dynamic chess, accumulating two points each and positioning themselves as strong contenders for the continental crown.
However, Peru is not alone at the top. Colombian player Isabel Britos, also with a perfect score so far, challenges the favorites and promises a fierce battle for first place. The parity in this women’s category is remarkable, with especially tight matches turning the tournament into a fascinating and highly competitive spectacle.
In addition, very close to the leaders, with just half a point less, are two players who can still deliver great surprises in the following rounds: WMI María Teresa Jiménez from Peru, known for her versatile style, and young Paraguayan promise Renata Mayeregger, WMF, who carries the hopes of the host country on her shoulders.
With each game, spectators and coaches closely observe every move, aware that in this tournament, the difference between victory and defeat can be defined by a single mistake or a moment of genius inspiration.
The 2025 Pan American Youth Under-20 Championship in Asunción, beyond the immediate results, is proving to be a fundamental space for the development and exposure of future grandmasters and champions of American chess. The upcoming rounds promise to further elevate the tension and consolidate the exceptional talent of these young board athletes.
Milciades Balbuena from Asunción del Paraguay
Asunción once again became the epicenter of continental chess on June 13th, with the prestigious 2025 Pan American Youth (Under 20) Rapid Tournament. The event, held in the comfortable facilities of the Military, Naval and Aeronautical Center (CEMINA), brought together 20 of the most outstanding young promises of international chess.
The competition, governed by a dizzying pace of 10 minutes per player plus 5 seconds increment per move, challenged both the strategic capacity and the mental and emotional agility of each participant. The Swiss system, deployed over 6 rounds, ensured intensity and drama until the last move, highlighting the youth, tenacity, and talent that characterize the continent's chess players.
The great expectation generated around the tournament resided not only in the prestige of the event but also in the extraordinary level of its competitors. Three nations were represented, bringing their best young talents: the United States, Peru, and Paraguay. Among them, the presence of two International Masters (IM), one FIDE Master (FM), and several other titled players stood out, leaving on the board the compelling evidence of their talent.
The American supremacy was undeniable. Nico Chasin, a young American International Master, delivered an impressive demonstration of strategic and tactical skill, achieving a perfect performance with six victories in six games. His impeccable performance was recognized with the absolute title, consolidating him as one of the most promising figures in youth rapid chess.
Following closely behind on the podium was his compatriot IM Jason Liang, with a solid performance of 4.5 points, showing great positional mastery as well as the ability to face difficult games under constant pressure. With the same score and a notable participation, FM Sathish Pranav, also from the United States, achieved third place on tiebreaks, standing out for his precision and offensive character on the board.
In the women's category, the tournament shone with its own strength thanks to memorable performances. The title went to the talented Peruvian WMI Maria Jimenez, who accumulated 4 points and made it clear why she is one of the most outstanding players of her generation in Latin America. Her meticulous approach and refined technique allowed her to prevail in crucial moments, imposing herself in highly contested matches.
Local joy was intensely felt with the participation of Paraguayan sisters Renata and Fiorella Mayeregger, who reaffirmed their growing prominence in the regional landscape. WMF Renata Mayeregger, who recently became the youngest WMF in the history of Paraguayan chess, conquered the second female place with 3.5 points. Her performance reflected not only technical solidity but also an admirable ability to adapt and resilience in the face of complex challenges.Her sister, WCM Fiorella Mayeregger, completed the female podium with 3 points, thus reaffirming the remarkable advance of Paraguayan youth chess. Both players, trained at the renowned Bobby Fischer Academy, continue to write a vibrant chapter in the history of Paraguayan science sport, leaving evidence of Paraguay's rising potential in continental chess.
This Pan American Youth (Under 20) Rapid Tournament 2025 has stood out as a key event for youth chess, providing an invaluable platform to measure skills, accumulate international experience, and foster sportsmanship among neighboring countries. The impeccable organization of the event, the quality of the CEMINA facilities, and the enthusiasm of the attending public contributed to the resounding success of the championship.
Youth chess thus once again demonstrates its vitality and growth in America, while young talents, led this time by the impressive American representation and supported by Peru and Paraguay, continue to pave the way for future triumphs on the international board.
| Pos | Name | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nico Chasin (USA) | IM | 6,0 |
| 2 | Jason Liang (USA) | IM | 4,5 |
| 3 | Pranav Satish (USA) | FM | 4,5 |
Final Standings: Chess-Results