Yerisbel Miranda returns to the women’s chess throne in Cuba

Seven years after including her name among the Cuban queens, Yerisbel Miranda, from Pinar del Río, once again took the crown with her victory in the National Women’s Chess Championship 2025, which closed its curtains today in Santa Clara.

Having become one of the most stable players on the current chess scene on the island, the player from the lower part of the island completed her ten rounds with a decisive victory over Ineymig Hernández from Camagüey. She scored 7.5 points, an unattainable figure for the 23 players who accompanied her on this new adventure.

Yerisbel’s start to the tournament was not very convincing, after opening with a setback and then being held to a draw in her next game. However, she picked up the pace from the next round onwards to record six wins and two draws, a result that opened the door to her second reign in this tournament.

In short, the predictions were fulfilled, as he had arrived in the main city of Villaclare with the highest Elo coefficient (2233 points). In addition, her performance left the title in the westernmost of the Cuban provinces, as a year ago it was won by her fellow countrywoman Lisandra Ordaz, now absent due to her recent maternity.

This time the podium was completed by Santiago de Cuba’s Oleiny Linares and the host Roxángel Obregón, with seven and 6.5 points, respectively.

Oleiny, a four-time gold medallist, defeated local Patricia Hernández in the farewell match, while Roxángel, after her loss in the closing round to the indomitable Yaniela Forgas, had the consolation of winning her first prize in these competitions.

Local 15-year-old Lorena Beatriz Montejo, who remained the leader until the fifth day thanks to an impressive performance in that stretch, finished tenth with five points, a relevant performance for her debut at this level, and the important victories she signed along the way.

Overall, the combativeness of each round, marked by very few draws, was once again outstanding. It was also comforting to see that experienced players still have a lot to contribute, as was the case of Maritza Arribas from Santiago, now sixth with six points.

The announcement of the national pre-selections is scheduled for the first days of March, based on the established parameters, among which the results of the national tournaments in their absolute and women’s versions will be of great importance.