INEFI recognizes chess player Ángel Sebastián Lara after raising the Dominican Republic’s flag high in a Brazilian tournament

Santo Domingo.- The executive director of the National Institute of Physical Education (INEFI), Alberto Rodríguez Mella, recognized this Friday the young chess player, Ángel Sebastián Lara Santos, who was the two-time champion of the Pan American School Chess Championship held recently in Brazil, with the participation of athletes from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Paraguay and the United States. The delivery of the recognition was carried out within the framework of a visit to the INEFI headquarters by several students from the San Pio X School, which was headed by Lara Santos, accompanied by teachers Braulio Ramírez and Danold Valdez, the children Arthur Moronta, Endry Félix Núñez, Obed Manuel Alcántara Amparo and Emil Rijo.

“For his talent and dedication, we present this plaque to Ángel Lara Santos for being an example of discipline, intelligence and passion for the sport of science,” Rodríguez emphasized.

In that vein, he invited the other students to continue studying and practicing sports, staying away from bad habits and crime. He highlighted the achievements of Lara Santos at the national and international level, emphasizing that she is a product of the X National School Sports Games Barahona 2023, organized by INEFI, where she began her international competitive journey.

“From the Barahona Games, the institution has accompanied Ángel in his development and participation in various events, we hope that you will also work hard in your studies and the sport you practice,” Rodríguez highlighted.

Regarding the San Pio X School, the INEFI director informed that they will soon deliver equipment and provide maintenance to the sports facilities of that educational center.

More about Ángel Lara Santos

Rodríguez Mella highlighted that Lara Santos managed to prevail in the Blitz and Rapid (U13) modalities of the international competition, establishing herself as one of the main promises of regional chess. Lara Santos was crowned champion of the Blitz modality (lightning), accumulating 7.5 points out of 9 possible. In the Rapid mode, he achieved a perfect victory, with seven out of seven, including a notable win against the Paraguayan candidate master Enzo Mathias Vinales González.

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Alongside him, the Central American and Caribbean champion, Alejandro Muñoz (U11), and the brothers Bruno and Lucas Almonte (U9 and U17), also represented the country in Brazil, under the direction of the international master José Lisandro Muñoz, captain of the delegation. In Brazil, the Dominican Republic added three medals, two gold with Ángel Lara and a bronze obtained by Bruno Almonte in the U9 Rapid category.

The Pan American School Chess Championship is played in Blitz, Rapid and Standard modalities, under the Swiss system and the regulations of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).