Faustino Oro solidifies his projection as a future grandmaster after a strong performance at Wijk aan Zee

Faustino Oro’s experience at the Wijk aan Zee tournament left a clear conclusion: the young Argentine prodigy, just twelve years old, is already competing in the world chess elite. His overall performance was outstanding, especially considering the high demands of the event and his inexperience due to his age.

Faustino Oro’s journey in this tournament was a typical emotional ride for developing competitors. Expectations soared after a spectacular start: four points in the first five games placed the Argentine at the top of the tournament standings. Many began to envision a victorious outcome, but the harsh reality of elite chess soon set in.

An inevitable slump halfway through the tournament

Midway through the competition, Faustino Oro’s performance suffered significantly. Three consecutive losses in the middle rounds raised alarms about his ability to keep pace against top-level opponents. All of his opponents in that stretch had ratings over 2600 Elo, representing a monumental challenge for any player, especially at his age. The boy faced the toughest test of his short competitive career.

The comeback of a potential champion

However, what came afterward proved to be the best indicator of Faustino Oro’s mindset. Far from falling apart, the young Argentine demonstrated maturity beyond his years. In the final stretch, he faced some of the strongest players in the world and delivered top-tier results.

His victory over Russian grandmaster Danil Yuffa, now under the Spanish federation, was decisive. But even more significant was his draw against Ukrainian legend Vasyl Ivanchuk, the 56-year-old player who, in his prime, was considered one of the most formidable opponents for Kasparov and Karpov. Faustino’s ability not to lose against such a titan is an achievement in itself.

The final round presented another challenge: facing Frenchman Marc Andriá Maurizzi. The game ended in another draw, though Faustino was very close to victory. A winning move appeared in the final seconds, but a hesitation in his calculation allowed the opportunity to slip away. Still, his capacity to hold the position against an elite rival was remarkable.

The numbers that tell the story

Faustino Oro finished the tournament in sixth place out of fourteen participants, scoring seven points out of thirteen possible. His record was four wins, three losses, and six draws—a respectable competitive level in such a context. His Elo rating increased by ten points, reaching 2516, reflecting continuous growth in his trajectory.

Most importantly: two of his four wins were against opponents rated over 2600 Elo, demonstrating that he can compete at the highest level without fear.

The race against time toward glory

To become an International Grandmaster, Faustino Oro needs to earn a third GM norm. This is the final barrier separating him from the title. He has about a month to achieve it, as there is a historic chance to break Abhiumanyu Mishra’s record—the American who currently holds the title of the youngest grandmaster in the world.

“Difficult, but not impossible,” Faustino himself said when assessing his chances. Expert observers who have analyzed his games agree on a forecast: during 2026, likely in the coming months, Faustino Oro will attain grandmaster status. The historic record is within reach, though not guaranteed. What seems inevitable is that he will become the youngest grandmaster ever, with or without the additional historic mark.

On the main stage: Uzbek victory

While Faustino Oro was taking his first steps in the challenger tournament, the main “Masters” at Wijk aan Zee was dominated decisively by Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the young Uzbek prodigy just twenty-one years old. His compatriot Javokhir Sindarov, a year younger, completed the duo of champions, achieving an undefeated performance in the event.

This victory marks a milestone for Uzbekistan, a nation that, without a deep historical chess tradition, has emerged as a global power. The country won the 2022 Olympiad with these same young talents leading the charge. Abdusattorov now joins the gallery of illustrious winners who have claimed the Wijk aan Zee title.

The Indian trio falls short of expectations

For India, the result was disappointing. Arjun Erigaisi and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, ranked fifth and eighth in the world respectively, finished in low positions in the final standings. World champion Gukesh couldn’t escape the middle range, with three wins and three losses, showing a performance that contrasts with his reigning champion status.

The trend is concerning: Gukesh has been several tournaments without regaining the level that propelled him to the world crown. The risk of falling out of the top ten is real—a phenomenon that also affected his predecessor Ding Liren during Magnus Carlsen’s era. The status of world champion can be more of a burden than an asset.

The Candidates Tournament: a glimpse into the future

The appeal of Wijk aan Zee was partly due to the presence of four of the eight future contenders for the Candidates Tournament, the event that determines the challenger to the world champion. Of these four, Sindarov emerged strengthened, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.

German player Mathias Bluebaum, who surprisingly qualified for the Candidates, demonstrated consistency with three wins, two losses, and the satisfaction of defeating champion Gukesh. Anish Giri, nearly a veteran at thirty-one, scored 50 percent and also contributed to Gukesh’s elimination.

Praggnanandhaa, winner of the tournament just a year ago, was the big disappointment of this event. However, given his strength and background, he has room to recover in the two months remaining before the Candidates begins in Cyprus.

The new generations: Faustino is not alone

A special mention goes to promising Turkish player Yagiz Erdogmus, just fourteen years old. He participated in the “Masters” and finished with a positive record: four wins and three losses. His potential to become one of the world’s top players is evident, and he will undoubtedly be a rival to Faustino Oro in the battle for the new generation’s supremacy.

These cases confirm the remarkable trend in contemporary chess: the extraordinary precocity of emerging talents. The era of teenage grandmasters is not an exception but the norm. Faustino Oro, along with Yagiz Erdogmus and other prodigies, will be the protagonists of the most exciting chapters in chess in the coming years.