"Faustino Oro is something never seen before. We are probably in the presence of the greatest prodigy in the history of chess or something very close to it," stated Grandmaster Diego Flores, winner of the 100th Argentine Championship last month.

Flores, 42, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, later lived in Buenos Aires and then Junín. He has won the Argentine Championship eight times (2005, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2025). With last year's title, he equaled the legendary Miguel Najdorf as the tournament's most successful winner.

"What does equaling Najdorf mean to me? It doesn't stir anything special in me, but it did generate more congratulations than usual. I have no interest in breaking any records. Najdorf is a figure who transcends everything; I can only compare myself to him in that sense, and wanting to surpass him just to say 'I surpassed Najdorf' does not motivate me at all. His figure is eternal, he set the pace for Argentine chess for decades and left an indelible legacy in every aspect. He competed with the best in the world, fought for the world title. There is no possible comparison," he expressed in an extensive interview with Página/12.

Flores reflected on his performance, describing his style as aggressive and acknowledging weaknesses in opening preparation. Regarding the national chess landscape, he noted, "Competitively, I believe it is in an unbeatable situation... There are many excellent kids who achieved things very early." He considers Argentina the number one force in South America, with a very strong middle tier of players.

When asked about Mario Petrucci, president of the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA), Flores commented, "I see him as a person very interested in promoting chess. Sometimes he channels things to his benefit... Despite negative situations I experienced during his tenure and things I didn't like, I see he is a person who moves a lot and tries to generate good things for chess."

His main challenge for this even-numbered year is to qualify for the Chess Olympiad, a tournament he cherishes for its team format and unique atmosphere, where top players compete against those from all levels.

Regarding 12-year-old phenomenon Faustino Oro, Flores was emphatic: "Faustino is a child of chess from the pandemic. His parents said he was running around the house and they didn't know what to do with the boy. They showed him chess, it was a door he opened, and it was a miracle... The level of chess understanding he has for his age is truly astonishing. He is someone with whom one can dream big. We must be patient and let him continue to grow."