Cuban Grandmaster Elier Miranda Mesa Wins Bronze at the V Panama Chess Open

September 12, 2026

Cuban Grandmaster Elier Miranda Mesa won the bronze medal at the V Panama Chess Open, held August 25-30, 2026, at the Salón Aurora of the Hotel Torres de Alba in Panama City. The Santa Clara native closed the nine-round Swiss-system tournament with 7 points out of a possible 9, finishing behind Argentine champion Andrés Carlos Obregón (7.5 points) and Colombian runner-up Sergio Barrientos, who matched his score but edged him out on tiebreak.

The FIDE-rated tournament drew 83 players from 14 countries. Cuba's delegation had a strong showing overall: FIDE Master Jean Marco Cruz finished fifth with 6.5 points, International Master Michel Alejandro Díaz placed sixth with 6 points, and Grandmaster Ermes Espinosa Veloz also finished with 6 points in seventh place. Grandmaster Maritza Arribas and FIDE Woman Master Karen Gutiérrez competed in the tournament's women's section.

Born January 29, 1993, in Santa Clara, Miranda Mesa earned his grandmaster title in 2019 and carries a FIDE rating of 2515. His career highlights include winning the 2023 Cuban Chess Championship, the 2024 Mi Veracruz National Championship in Mexico, and representing Cuba at the 45th Chess Olympiad that same year.

The result in Panama cements Miranda Mesa's standing as one of Cuba's most active chess competitors on the international circuit in 2026, following similar podium finishes earlier this year in Mexico.