Chessmaster Lázaro Bruzón causes dropout from Cuba's national pre-selection

September 13, 2018

The Cuban National Chess Commission, in light of the most recent events, offers an update on the status of its relations with Grandmaster Lázaro Bruzón Batista.

On July 31 of the present year, the chess player informed us that he would travel to the United States using his ordinary passport to attend to personal matters and participate in a tournament.

He was instructed to process the request through the Giraldo Córdova Cardín School of Formation of High-Performance Athletes (ESFAAR), with which he had signed a due contract and therefore was part of its enrollment. He did not do so.

On August 17, the player's trainer, Rodney Pérez, conveyed to our Commission a concern regarding the health of the athlete from Las Tunas and his inability to join the team for the upcoming World Chess Olympiad.

A message had been received from the United States in which Bruzón confirmed that he was suffering a crisis of an illness he has had for some time, and that for that reason he was unable to join the selection that would attend the Georgian city of Batumi, venue of the universal championship.

In light of this, we suggested he return to Cuba to organize his proper treatment through the Institute of Sports Medicine, and he was immediately replaced on the Olympic team, placing Grandmaster Yaser Quesada in his place.

In subsequent exchanges, Bruzón explained that he was already under medical treatment and that he was also considering the possibility of studying in the United States.

Taking into account his contract signed with ESFAAR Cardín and his membership in the Cuban chess pre-selection, he was required to return to the country and resume his treatment and preparation here.

In recent days, news has emerged of Bruzón's and Grandmaster Yunieski Quesada's integration into the Webster University team for the 2018-2019 season. This second athlete has not been part of the Cuban pre-selection since the 2016-2017 academic year and was residing in his province.

Given these circumstances, Bruzón's membership in ESFAAR Cardín and in Cuba's national pre-selection has ceased.