Isbel Herrera, a chess referee from Matanzas, dies from covid-19

July 29, 2021

The Cuban Isbel Herrera del Sol, international chess arbiter, died from COVID-19.

Herrera del Sol, who held the titles of International Chess Organizer and Fide instructor, had presided since its founding over the Honorary Chair of chess Remberto Fernández, at the University of Computer Sciences in Havana.

Born in the western province of Matanzas in 1973, he received the title of AI at the 86th Fide Congress, held from September 2 to 9, 2015, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The sports portal Jit described his work as "indispensable" since the COVID scourge began, having collaborated in organizing chess tournaments through digital platforms.

The deceased chess player was "a man dedicated to the sport he loved. Enthusiastic in any role, knowledgeable about the Game of Science, he was a lover of arbitration."

Cuba is currently suffering the worst outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic with high transmission and fatality rates in its territory; on the last day, 8,607 new cases of COVID-19 and 68 deaths were reported.