Carlos de la Cruz (Club Baltajaque) and Jimena Rodríguez Morales (Club Isla Bonita) climbed to the podium at the Canary Islands Youth Championship, held at the Sociedad Democracia in Arrecife. The La Palma delegation returns with two medals that confirm the good moment of the youth talent.
The La Palma delegation has returned from Lanzarote with two bronze medals in hand. Carlos de la Cruz, from Club Baltajaque, and Jimena Rodríguez Morales, from Club Isla Bonita, managed to reach the podium at the Canary Islands Youth Championship, which closed its doors this Sunday at the Sociedad Democracia in Arrecife.
Two podiums that inspire
Carlos de la Cruz was crowned third in the tournament with 4.5 points, finishing fourth in the overall standings —only surpassed by the champion, the runner-up, and the female champion—. Meanwhile, Jimena Rodríguez Morales secured bronze in the female category with 3 points. These two results confirm the good moment of La Palma's youth talent and their reference clubs, Baltajaque and Isla Bonita.
For chess enthusiasts in La Palma, these medals are a source of pride. The island, which has historically produced figures such as Grandmaster José Carlos Ibarra, sees how the new generations continue the path of success. Seventeen-year-old Carlos de la Cruz had already stood out in regional tournaments, while fifteen-year-old Jimena Rodríguez is emerging as one of the promising talents in Canary women's chess.
A high-level tournament in Arrecife
The youth championship was won by the Lanzarote player Julius Pleschke, who also became a FIDE Master by surpassing 2,300 Elo points. He was followed by Tenerife's Antonio Mesa. In the female category, the majorera Helena Joana Li Chen took gold. Concurrently, the Canary Islands Veterans Championship was held, where the victory went to International Master Alexander Bangiev from Lanzarote.
Both tournaments started on Thursday, July 2, and were played in six rounds using the Swiss system. The organization was handled by the Lanzarote Delegation and the Sociedad Democracia, along with the Canary Chess Federation. International arbiter Pablo Arranz was responsible for ensuring fair play. The awards ceremony featured the president of the Canary Chess Federation and the sports councillor of the Lanzarote Cabildo, who highlighted the success of the event and the role of the players from the host island.
The rest of the La Palma delegation
In the veterans category, the best performer from La Palma was Francisco Andrades Campo, seventh with 4 points —the same as the third-placed player—. He was joined by Jacinto Iglesias Domínguez and Alberto Bethencourt Hernández. In the youth category, in addition to the medalists, the representation was completed by Alberto Bethencourt Hernández and Markel Brito Baranda. All of them put La Palma's name high in the Canary chess scene.
For the island's residents, these results are a boost to the work of local clubs. Club Baltajaque, based in Santa Cruz de La Palma, and Club Isla Bonita, from Los Llanos de Aridane, are two youth academies that continue to bear fruit. Those who wish to follow in the footsteps of these young talents can check the official rankings on Chess-Results.
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