Checkmate in Barcelos

A Chess virtuoso from Barcelos

A 13-year-old chess prodigy from Barcelos, Portugal, has become the youngest player ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster. Antonio Fernandes achieved the feat at the International Chess Festival in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, January 29, 2023, after defeating Spanish Grandmaster David Antón Guijarro in the final round of the tournament.

A bright future awaits

Fernandes’ victory makes him the youngest Grandmaster in the world, breaking the previous record set by Sergey Karjakin of Ukraine, who achieved the title at the age of 12 years and 7 months in 2002. Fernandes’ achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the game of chess. He has been playing chess since the age of 5 and has quickly risen through the ranks, becoming one of the most promising young players in the world.

Fernandes’ victory is a major milestone in his chess career and is sure to open up new opportunities for him. He is now eligible to compete in the most prestigious chess tournaments in the world, including the World Championship. With his talent and dedication, Fernandes has the potential to become one of the greatest chess players of all time.

The tournament in Barcelona

The International Chess Festival in Barcelona is one of the most prestigious chess tournaments in the world. The tournament attracts top players from around the world and is known for its high level of competition. Fernandes’ victory in the tournament is a major accomplishment and is a testament to his skill and talent.

In the final round of the tournament, Fernandes faced Spanish Grandmaster David Antón Guijarro. Guijarro is a strong player with a rating of 2640. However, Fernandes was able to defeat Guijarro in a convincing fashion, winning the game in just 32 moves.

Fernandes’ chess career

Fernandes began playing chess at the age of 5. He quickly showed a talent for the game and began to compete in tournaments at a young age. In 2019, he won the European Youth Chess Championship in the U12 category. In 2022, he won the World Youth Chess Championship in the U14 category.

Fernandes’ victory at the International Chess Festival in Barcelona is the latest in a series of impressive achievements for the young chess player. He is now one of the most promising young players in the world and has the potential to become one of the greatest chess players of all time.