First round postponed until Monday

- The continental competition was opened with Colombian dance.
- First round postponed due to the resting necessities of the players.
- The competitions will Star at 9:30 am at The Chess Park.
- www.panamericanomedellin2007.com.

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Translation: Camilo Herrera

The representatives of the participating delegations in the XVIII PANAMERICAN YOUTH CHESS FESTIVAL – Medellín 2007 decided to postpone the first round until Monday, July second, which will start at 9:30 a.m. (Colombian time) in The Chess Park of the Atanasio Girardot sports complex.

The decision was taken since the draw could not be carry out appropriately because some of the players of the 18 countries just arrived in the afternoon. Besides, in order to allow the resting of the children and young adults.
The competitions in the XVIII PANAMERICAN YOUTH CHESS FESTIVAL – Medellín 2007 will include the following categories: U-6, U-8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18.

- The continental competition was opened with Colombian dance
The opening was staged at Plaza Mayor with the presence of several players of the delegations involved who wore their uniforms.

Sunday’s ceremony to open the XVIII PANAMERICAN YOUTH CHESS FESTIVAL – Medellín 2007 was livened up by the Ballet Folklórico de Antioquia (Folk dance group) with a spectacle called Tierra de esperanza (Land of hope), along with Miraflores Band, part of the school musical project of Medellín.

- Well known players registered
The Peruvian, Emilio Cordova, international Master who will compete in the U16 category arrives with remarkable records such as the obtaining of Grand Master norms and outstanding victories with great masters of the globe. Considered a genius in his country and famous for his ability with the ladies, IM David Arenas is the Colombian representative with the best career achievements.

One of the favorites of the U18 category is the Venezuelan Eduardo Iturrizaga, main selection form his country, International Master with five Grand Master norms (he is missing the 2500 rating to obtain the title). The Colombian ace is the FIDE Master from Antioquia, Andre Gallego, with high level in his recent participations.
Among the ladies, the Argentinean Master Stepahnie Amed will compete for the U18 title with WIM Jenny Chiriví, three time Pan-American champion (two times U14 and one time U18).

In the U!2 category, Aura Salazar, Angie Chiriví y Melissa Castrillón from Antioquia and WIM Paula Rodríguez y Adriana Pachón are, according to the closest records, the most favorite to obtain the title for Colombia. The Peruvian Cecilia Casusol is the former champion of the Cuenca, Ecuador version.

XVIII PANAMERICAN YOUTH CHESS FESTIVAL – Medellín 2007 is being organized by The Antioquia Chess League and the American Chess Confederation, and supported by Indeportes Antioquia and Inder Medellín.