Cuban Bruzon Leads Chess Tournament in Mexico

HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 22 (acn) The Cuban GM Lazaro Bruzon appears today as leader in the ninth and final round of Carlos Torre chess tournament that takes place at the Mayan World Museum in the Mexican city of Merida.

The best ranked player of the tournament and defender of the crown retook the top after achieving eight points on Sunday through wins over his compatriot Isam Ortiz, previous leader, and Peruvian Emilio Córdova.

Despite his little advantage, Bruzon will have to beat the also Cuban Juan Carlos Obregon to ensure the scepter, allowing him to avenge the loss he suffered against this same player at Capablanca Memorial in 2013.
Isam now owns 6.5 units and is second by best tiebreaker than American Alejandro Ramirez, with whom he drew in the fifth round.
Cuba is widely represented among the 110 registered players and its other best performances are been conducted by Roberto García, who appears 4th with six points, the same amount of Obregón and Yuri Gonzalez who are sixth and seventh, in that order.

Many of those involved in this contest, including Bruzón and Isam, will move to the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil to attend the Latin Cup from December 26 to 31.