Pan-American Youth Championship XXXIV Report and Recap

A total of 368 players representing 28 federations participated across 12 sections in the Pan-American Youth Championship XXXIV. The tournament, held from July 15 through 20 in Orlando, Florida was hosted in partnership with the Confederation of Chess for Americas (CCA), International Chess Federation (FIDE), and Rosen Shingle Creek.

Overall, American players won 25 of the 36 total medals, including 11 golds. WIM Sofia Mayorga Araya, of Costa Rica, was the lone international gold medalist, winning the Girls Under-14 a clear two points ahead of the field with an 8/9 score. 

All results can be seen on Chess-Results.com, and games from the top boards of each section can be reviewed on USChess.live. Below are photos, games, and news about direct titles from each section.

Under-18

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(From left) Terry Luo, Eshaan Hebbar, Max Rusonik (Photo courtesy US Chess)

CM Eshaan Hebbar and FM Terry Luo tied for first with 7/9 scores, with Hebbar taking first on tiebreaks. As a result, Hebbar earned an IM norm for his performance, which included a head-to-head win over Luo.

Girls Under-18

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(From left) Veronica Orbe Vivero, Ruiyang Yan, Paula Hernandez Diaz (Photo courtesy US Chess)

FM Ruiyang Yan won the gold with a 7½/9 score, a half-point ahead of Veronica Orbe Vivero (Ecuador) and Paula Hernandez Diaz (Mexico). Yan already has the WIM title, and Orbe Vivero earned the WFM title for her performance. 

Under-16

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(From left) Christopher Garzon Zapatanga and Eric Liu (Photo courtesy US Chess)

IM Eric Liu took clear first with a 7½/9 score, a half-point ahead of Ecuador's Christopher Garzon Zapatanga. Liu earned an IM norm for his gold medal, which he clearly does not need! But Garzon Zapatanga earned the CM title for his silver medal finish. Not pictured is FM Benjamin Tang, who finished in clear third with a 6½/9 score.

Girls Under-16

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(From left) Lucy Gao, Sofia Mayorga Araya, Chloe Wang (Photo courtesy US Chess)

WIM Sofia Mayorga Araya (Costa Rica) ran away from the competition with an 8/9 score that was a full two points ahead of WCM Chloe Wang and Lucy Gao, who each finished with 6/9 scores. Like Liu in the Under-16 open, Mayorga Araya earned a norm she did not need, as she already has the WIM title. 

Under-14

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(From left) Cristhian Yamil Reyes Zavaleta, Henry Wang, Aditeya (Photo courtesy US Chess)

FM Henry Wang earned gold with a 7½/9 score, a half-point ahead of Cristhian Yamil Reyes Zavaleta (Peru). Aditeya Das tied with CM Narayan Venkatesh for third with 6½/9, but won bronze on tiebreaks. The tiebreak was fortuitous for Das, who earns a CM title for his podium finish. Reyes Zavaleta also earns the CM title for his silver medal. 

Girls Under-14

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From left: Anais Fiset, Jenny Qi, Juliana Silva (Photo courtesy US Chess)

Jenny Qi earned her WFM title with her gold medal finish and 7/9 score! WFM Anais Fiset (Canada) finished clear second with 6½/9, and WCM Juliana Silva (Brazil) led a group of players tied for third with 6/9 to earn the bronze.

Under-12

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(From left) Ethan Guo, Eric Liu, Enzo Vinales Gonzalez (Photo Courtesy US Chess)

Patrick Liu won the gold medal with a 7½/9 score and also earned his FM title by finishing ahead of CM Ethan Guo on tiebreaks. Enzo Vinales Gonzalez (Paraguay) also earned a CM title for his bronze medal finish and 7/9 score, a clear point ahead of the rest of the field.

Girls Under-12

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(From left) Irene Fei, Sophie Li, Aimee Yang (From left) Ethan Guo, Eric Liu, Enzo Vinales Gonzalez (Photo Courtesy US Chess)

A trio of American WCMs swept the podium, with Sophie Li earning the WFM title for her gold medal performance and 8/9 score. Irene Fei was clear second with 7½/9, and Aimee Yang was clear third with 6½/9.

Under-10

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(From left) Rafael Palathingal, Vivan Mulay, Aakash Jani (Photo courtesy US Chess)

A trio of untitled Americans swept the section, each earning CM titles for their performances. Vivan Mulay won the gold with a 7½/9 score. A half-point behind him was Rafael Palathingal in second, and Aakash Jani earned bronze with 6½/9.

Girls Under-10

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(From left) Alicia Zhu, Miranda Meng, Annie Yao (Photo courtesy US Chess)

Another three untitled Americans, another three direct (WCM) titles! Miranda Meng won the gold with her 7½/9 score, and Alicia Zhu was clear second in 7/9. Annie Yao won the bronze with 6½/9 ahead of Wan Qin Li on tiebreaks.

Under-8

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(From left) Ian Singh, Aiden Li, Tobias Passmore (Photo courtesy US Chess)

Aiden Li won the gold medal by a wide margin, winning the section with an 8½/9 score, a full point ahead of Ian Avery Singh. Singh, in turn was a point-and-a-half ahead of the field, with Tobias Passmore (Canada) winning the bronze on tiebreaks ahead of a pack of players with 6/9 scores. The trio all earn CM titles for their podium finishes. 

Girls Under-8 

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(From left) Elizabeth Xia, Abigail Zhou, Sarah Nguyen (Photo courtesy US Chess)

Last but not least, three more WCMs! Abigail Zhou was the only player in any of the 12 sections to go an unblemished 9/9, obviously winning the gold with such a score. Elizabeth Xia and Sarah Nguyen finished tied for second with 7/9 scores, and Xia took the silver on tiebreaks. 

Keep an eye out for more highlights from this event in upcoming Tactics Tuesday and Wednesday Workout features!