Leinier Domínguez Reaches Number Seven Among the World's Best

December 1, 2023

Cuban Grandmaster Leinier Domínguez has achieved a milestone in his career after reaching seventh place in the world chess ranking, following his outstanding performance at the Sinquefield Cup. Domínguez, who became a U.S. citizen, has been a constant name in the chess world since his beginnings in Cuba.

At the Sinquefield Cup, a highly competitive tournament, Domínguez finished in second place, adding 11.2 Elo points to his ranking. This achievement allowed him to ascend to one of the most coveted positions in world chess. His performance in the tournament was notable, finishing undefeated in eight games, with two victories and six draws, which earned him a prize of 65 thousand dollars.

This triumph is one more in the illustrious career of Domínguez, who was born in Havana on September 23, 1983. From an early age, he demonstrated exceptional talent for chess, representing Cuba in nine Olympiads and winning the national championship five times. In 2014, he reached tenth place in the world ranking with an Elo rating of 2768, standing out in tournaments such as the Capablanca in Memoriam and the Ciudad de Barcelona.

His decision to emigrate to the United States in 2017 marked a turning point in his career. Although he faced criticism and attacks from Cuban provincial media, such as the Telemayabeque incident in 2020, Domínguez continued his upward trajectory in chess. In 2018, he was registered as a player with the U.S. Chess Federation, and since then, he has continued accumulating successes.

The case of Domínguez is a reflection of the situation faced by many Cuban athletes who decide to emigrate. Despite representing Cuba in multiple international events and contributing with their achievements to Cuban sports, they are often ignored or criticized by official media in their homeland once they decide to change their residence. This phenomenon is not exclusive to Domínguez; other Cuban chess players based in the U.S., such as Lázaro Bruzón and Yuniesky Quezada, have faced similar situations.

Chess, a sport of mind and strategy, has been an arena where Cuba has historically excelled. Figures such as José Raúl Capablanca, a former world champion, are part of the island's rich chess legacy. The departure of talents like Domínguez raises questions about sports policies and the conditions that lead these athletes to seek new opportunities abroad.

The talent and dedication of Leinier has made him one of the world's best chess players and a source of pride for Cubans. However, the official media of the Cuban regime omits all information concerning the Cuban Grandmaster.