In an exciting showcase of skill and strategy, GM Alan Pichot and IM Marta García Martín emerged victorious at the 2026 Spanish Absolute and Women’s chess championships held in Linares. Pichot, originally from Argentina, secured his first Spanish crown, while García Martín defended her title, earning her third national women’s championship.
Highlights of the Tournament
The tournament took place from August 17 to 25, featuring a nine-round Swiss system. Competitors from both the men’s and women’s divisions played in a single field, with titles awarded based on separate rankings for absolute and women’s categories.
The competition was fiercely contested, with the lead tightening as the tournament progressed. By the final round, fourth seed Eduardo Iturrizaga, fifth seed Pichot, and 11th seed Alex Villa Tornero found themselves tied at the top with 6.5 points from eight games. Trailing closely behind were defending champion David Antón Guijarro, former runner-up Jaime Santos Latasa, Daniil Yuffa, and IMs Daniel García Ramos and Juan Plazuelo Pascual, all within striking distance of the leaders.
In a climactic finish, Pichot defeated Villa Tornero in the last round, concluding the tournament with an impressive 7.5 out of 9 points to clinch the championship title. Yuffa and Iturrizaga finished strong as well with 7 points each, but Yuffa claimed the silver medal thanks to a superior Buchholz tiebreak score, while Iturrizaga secured third place after a draw in his final match.
On the women’s side, García Martín topped the standings with 6 points out of 9. IM Sabrina Vega closely followed, finishing half a point behind in second place, while WFM Adhara Rodríguez Redondo rounded out the podium with a commendable performance.
This year’s championships not only showcased the depth of talent in Spanish chess but also highlighted the exciting potential for future competitions. With Pichot and García Martín’s victories, the chess community eagerly anticipates their next appearances on the international stage.