Historic Achievement: Faustino Oro Becomes Second-Youngest Grandmaster at Sardinia World Chess Festival
History Made at Sardinia World Chess Festival: 12-Year-Old Faustino Oro Becomes Second-Youngest Grandmaster
SARDINIA, ITALY — In a remarkable display of skill and determination, 12-year-old Argentinian chess prodigy Faustino Oro has made history by securing his final grandmaster norm at the Sardinia World Chess Festival on Saturday, becoming the second-youngest player ever to earn the prestigious title. Known as the “Messi of Chess,” Oro achieved this milestone with a round to spare, finishing the tournament with an impressive score of 6 out of 9.
The A Open event, which ran from May 3 to 10, featured a competitive field of 158 players, including 29 grandmasters. German GM Frederik Svane clinched first place with a score of 7.5/9, followed closely by Armenia’s Haik Martirosyan and Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, both finishing with seven points.
Despite the spotlight on Svane’s victory, the tournament’s narrative was dominated by Oro’s historic achievement. At just 12 years, six months, and 26 days old, he now stands behind only GM Abhimanyu Mishra, who holds the record for the youngest grandmaster at 12 years, four months, and 25 days.
“I am feeling very good. I am happy with the tournament and obviously with getting my last norm. Now I am a GM. I am really, really happy,” Oro expressed in an interview with ChessBase India.
Oro’s journey to this momentous title began with a crucial victory over IM Bartlomiej Niedbala in the penultimate round, a match that showcased his ability to capitalize on his opponent’s passive endgame play. This win brought him to 6/8, securing a performance rating of 2631. A final-round pairing with two-time world championship challenger Nepomniachtchi ensured that Oro would achieve the necessary performance regardless of the outcome.
Although Oro lost to Nepomniachtchi in the final round, the seasoned grandmaster praised the young talent, stating, “It’s a great achievement for him. He was quite close in the Aeroflot Open, and today he played quite well.”
Earlier in the tournament, Oro demonstrated his prowess by holding strong grandmasters to draws and even outmaneuvering his opponents in critical moments. His ability to trick opponents in the endgame was particularly evident in round five, where he showcased his tactical acumen.
Oro’s ascent to grandmaster status is not just a personal triumph; it places him among an elite group of only seven players to achieve this title before their 13th birthday. His accomplishments have drawn widespread attention, sparking what many are calling “Faustimania” in the chess community.
David Martinez, a popular commentator, remarked, “Faustino Oro has achieved the grandmaster title with such evident superiority that it feels as though it’s even short of his capabilities. We are talking about a player who already projects a strength close to 2600.”
With his sights set on future challenges, Oro aims to continue improving and is targeting a rating of 2600. He will represent Argentina at the upcoming FIDE Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan this September and is set to compete in the Leon Masters in July.
As the chess world watches closely, one thing is certain: Faustino Oro’s journey is just beginning, and his name will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of chess history for years to come.