Upset in the Amateur lead and a masterclass from Galicia's Diego Cacheiro against the world elite

The seventh round of the XIV International Tournament Ciudad de Pontevedra has shaken the foundations of the competition in its final stretch. The tension is palpable at the University Sports Pavilion, where the top favorites are chasing their last title chances and local talent continues to prove it has no ceiling.

Masters category: reshuffle at the top and a spectacular Cacheiro

In the Masters category, the Grandmasters have stepped on the gas to seize their chances of being crowned champions. This has led to an exciting reshuffle at the top of the standings, where as many as five players share the lead with 5.5 points heading into the eighth round.

But if there is one name echoing loudly through the playing hall today, it is that of Galician FIDE Master Diego Cacheiro Blanco. Cacheiro is putting together an absolutely spectacular performance and has thrust himself right into this select group of leaders. In the seventh round, the local player delivered yet another statement by defeating Uruguayan International Master Bernardo Roselli Mailhe with the white pieces. With this magnificent form and his 5.5 points, the Galician talent edges ever closer to his coveted International Master norm. Tomorrow, the challenge will be immense: Cacheiro will play the eighth round on board 2 against the current tournament number one, Indian Grandmaster Sayantan Das.

On board one, Indian GM Sayantan Das and Cuban IM Luis Daniel Rodríguez signed a draw that enabled this regrouping of the chasing pack.

Amateur category: change of leader and Brais Moreira in hot pursuit

The Amateur group delivered a genuine shake-up in the overall standings. The seventh round brought a change of leader after a tense duel on board one. Ricardo Oubiña Pazos seized the top spot by defeating the hitherto outright leader, Mauro Castro Barciela, with the black pieces. This victory catapults Oubiña into the sole lead with 6.5 points.

Just behind, the excitement is at fever pitch, with a chasing quartet on 6.0 points ready to hunt down the leader. Breaking forcefully into this elite group is home player Brais Moreira Novo. Moreira secured a crucial win with the white pieces against Rafael Montero Campuzano on board 3. This brilliant triumph earns him the honor — and the immense challenge — of playing the eighth round on board 1, wielding the white pieces against the new leader, Ricardo Oubiña.

Chess as a driver of inclusion: the pride of ONCE

In this edition, we want to pay a very special tribute to the experience and tremendous competitive level of Florencio García Rodríguez. Florencio currently stands as the top-ranked ONCE representative in the tournament, ahead of the junior players. In this grueling seventh round, Florencio secured a commendable draw with the black pieces against Portuguese player José Pedro Figueiredo Alves. With this result, the veteran player reaches an excellent 4.5 points, proving that passion for chess knows no barriers.

The eighth and penultimate round gets underway tomorrow at 16:30, promising decisive clashes that could all but settle the path to the title in both categories.

The games can be followed live at the Pontevedra University Sports Pavilion or through our live games section.