Jul 33 min read

San Ignacio Championship Qualifier

On Saturday, June 29th, the second qualifying tournament for the Belize National Chess Championship Cycle 2024 was held. This event took place at the Quality Chicken Express in San Ignacio Town. The winner of this tournament earned a spot in the upcoming Challengers Tournament later this year.

Special thanks to Quality Chicken Express in San Ignacio Town for allowing us to host our event at their venue.

Venue provided by Quality Chicken Express

Participants

The tournament featured 8 players from Stann Creek and Cayo. Notably, this was the first event attended by the current National Champion, Alfred Awe, since his victory. The field also included Belize Rank 3 player Luis Mendez Jr., Stann Creeks Rank 4 Marric Elijio and promising talents Gregory McGibney, Roger Canto and Joseph Koop.

Round 1

In Round 1, National Champion Alfred Awe faced a tough challenge in an all-Stann Creek matchup. Marric played a solid game and had massive winning chances, the champ narrowly escaped with a draw, despite being in a losing position.

Marric was completely winning against the champion but played 35. ... a2?? losing all his advantage and allowing a perpetual. — Marric was completely winning against the champion but played 35. ... a2?? losing all his advantage and allowing a perpetual, ending the game in a draw..

On Board 2, Joseph Koop and Luis Mendez Jr. had an exciting game. Koop showed he could be a strong contender by holding Mendez to a draw.

Games:

Alfred Awe vs Marric Elijio: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/2zcnnBbtm4

Joseph Koop vs Luis Mendez Jr.: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/3mSTJemdh8

Round 2

The highlight of Round 2 was the game between the top players in Belize Luis Mendez Jr. and Alfred Awe. Mendez sought revenge for his previous loss to Awe, which had cost him the national championship. Despite a hard-fought game, Awe outplayed Mendez in the endgame to secure a win.

Final Moments from the Mendez vs Awe game.

The game between Marric Elijio and Joseph Koop was also highly contested. The game had a suprising finish however as it saw Marric Elijio lose on time to Joseph Koop in an equal endgame.

Games:

Luis Mendez Jr. vs Alfred Awe: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/3WS9zPvwGr

Marric Elijio vs Joseph Koop: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/5kjzvmahYA

Round 3

In Round 3, Tournament leader Roger Canto faced Belize's Rank 1, Alfred Awe. Awe quickly equalized in the opening and gradually built an advantage, winning the game.

The biggest upset of the tournament was between Travis Morales and Marric Elijio. Marric had a completely winning position however blundered checkmate.

Games:

Roger Canto vs Alfred Awe: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/3TDgnKR5xr

Jason Belmont vs Luis Mendez Jr.: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/13K9cNani

Joseph Koop vs Gregory McGibney: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/5kMcjCFjrN

Travis Morales vs Marric Elijio: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/2ujFYGAeoY

Round 4

Heading into Round 4, Joseph Koop and Alfred Awe were tied for first place. Koop took advantage of mistakes in Awe's opening moves, achieving a dominant attacking position. However, Awe defended well and, after some inaccuracies by Koop, seized the opportunity to go on the offensive and win the game.

Another key matchup was between Luis Mendez Jr. and Roger Canto. Both players fought hard, following some inaccuracies from Mendez, Canto gained a massive advantage however he then blundered a rook and then Mendez had the end. It came down to the end and in time trouble, Mendez blundered his rook in a winning position, allowing Canto to secure a remarkable win as black against the Belize Rank 3 player.

In this position Luis played Rf2?? blundering his rook and losing the game

Games:

Alfred Awe vs Joseph Koop: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/5m7j7mFyNe

Luis Mendez Jr. vs Roger Canto: https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/MFJfDezLW

Round 5

Roger Canto vs Joseph Koop, Fight for Qualification

In the final round, Canto needed only a win or draw against Joseph Koop to secure the qualification spot. Canto capitalized on a blunder from Joseph in an equal position to win the game.