“Faustino Oro has an extraordinary talent; in the history of chess there has not been anyone who has reached the level he reached at the age of 12.”. Even Magnus Carlsen – for many the best player of all time – had it later, when he was 13.”. The Spaniards are of Latvian origin, Alexei Shirov53 years old, the conversation began with Infobaeafter debating the fourth round of the year with the diminutive Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro in an intense game that ended in a draw after 39 moves by a French defense IV Magistral Szmetan-Giardelliwhich takes place in the Recoleta Cultural Center (Junín 1930). Both are leaders with 3 units, accompanied by the Argentine champion Diego Flores and the Norwegian Aryan Tari.
-And how did you play when you were 11 or 12 years old?
-No, at that age I was a “little bird” (laughs).
-But in your childhood, the machines or technology of today didn’t exist…
-It doesn’t matter, I didn’t even take chess seriously. I started playing seriously in Riga (the capital of Latvia) after I was 14, when I came third in one of my country’s championships.
Perhaps because his rise into the working world was as electrifying as the heroics that led to the boy born in the neighborhood Saint Christopherthe Latvian Shirov has authority in Chess to say and think what you want. At 16 he became World Youth Champion, at 18 he was Grandmaster and at 22 he was the third best player in the world behind him Kasparov And Karpov. He has been visiting the country for two months; He walked around and played chess Villa Martelli, Cordova, rosary, Santa Fe, Rio Grande, Land of Fire And chili. Without a doubt, he is one of the stars of the competition in honor of the famous Argentine champions. Jorge Szmetan And Sergio Giardelli.
-What surprises you about Faustino?
-I’m surprised he reached this level with a universal playing style. And he didn’t do it when he was 12 years old, but when he was 11, because a year ago he was already a trained and complete player. And that is undoubtedly impressive.
-Have you had a chance to talk to him?
-Yes, we agree Spain; There we played an open quick-play tournament for the first time, which lasted a whole day. Because of the draw I had to play with white and achieved nothing. I didn’t even have an advantage during the game, so I had to settle for simplifying the position (exchanging pieces) and drawing. After that, we met and studied together, but only once, when I saw the child who was already a developed player, I realized that he didn’t work or didn’t know how else to help him (laughs).
-Do you think Szmetan-Giardelli will reach the second standard of a grandmaster with this Magistral?
-He already plays like a great teacher; A complete and universal player, he has mastered all styles, so it is clear that he will definitely be a chess player with an rating of more than 2700. He is doing very well here and will definitely make it.
– Do you predict a great future for him?
-Well, that’s the reality. I don’t like making predictions and today it’s difficult to speak in the world. But there are many strong and very young players and everyone has opportunities. Faustino He has everything to become world championI sincerely wish it for him, but I don’t speculate, his chances depend on him.
Previously there was a game where during the three hour gaming session Shirov (with black pieces) had a slight advantage for the most part that he couldn’t match. When the result was announced, the happy faces of the fans and parents beamed Faustinowho carefully followed every movement reproduced in the analysis room, with comments from the great teacher Dr. Diego Valerga. At one point five grandmasters were present: Diego Flores And Ivan Cheparinov (they quickly leveled their game), along with Ruben Felgar, Sergio Slipak and Dr. Valerga.
“Give me the blacks I can play in this position,” the man from Junin said with a smile. Flowers. “It’s a position of caring for the target,” he said. Felgar. “I think that all people prefer to play this position with black, only machines can say that there is equality here.”hill Valerga.
When Faustino Oro He entered the room after finishing his game, looking tired but happy. He knew he had escaped a difficult situation against a great rival. “I don’t think I played well today, but I defended very well.”he ventured to say with his usual boldness and perpetual smile. And it was no wonder. The draw allowed him to remain at the top of the test, reaching 3 units with his performance after four games. They are now 2.5 points apart with five games remaining in the tournament to fulfill their desire to set a new grandmaster standard. the second of his personal harvest. The first was carried out last September Spain and, if you specify another in Buenos Aireswill be just one performance away from becoming a grandmaster.
The highlight of the fourth day, in addition to the already mentioned duels between Oro-Shirov and Flores, was another of the great youth stars of Cheparinov Argentina. The young Ilan SchnaiderThe 14-year-old scored a brilliant victory against the former Argentine champion and the second best player in the local rankings, the Anointed Sandro Mareco. This time Ilan was “better”, he did not overlook his rival’s mistakes and won in great form after 33 moves of a Sicilian defense. This way, Schnaiderwhat you just like Faustino They are partners of Chess circle in the White TowerHe ended his negative streak in the competition, coming off three straight defeats and the win will certainly give him encouragement for the rest of the competition.
The other victory of the round went to the Norwegian and first seed Masterful, Aryan Tariwho defeated the Peruvian Julio Grandaafter 42 moves of a Ruy López Apertura.
The first game that ended today was the duel between the local champions, Thomas Darcylwith white, and Sergio Slipakwhich was a draw in just 12 games. For Darcylwho also had three falls behind him, the draw was welcomed.
The fifth round will be played on Friday from 2 p.m. with these confrontations: Slipak (2 points) v. Faustino Oro (3), Shirov (3) v. Tari (3), Grandpa (1) V Flowers (3), Mareco (1) V Darcyl (0.5) and Cheparinov (2.5) v. Schnaider (1).
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