A discipline of mental skill, strategic movement of each chess piece, and analysis of opponents’ playing styles—these elements defined the chess competition held at the Hotel Decapolis, where this guest sport took place during the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026.
The competition began on Thursday, April 23, continued on Friday, April 24, and concluded on Saturday, April 25, when gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to the top finishers. A total of 18 athletes competed in chess, with 9 in the women’s category and 9 in the men’s, across four formats: Open Rapid, Women’s Rapid, Open Blitz, and Women’s Blitz.
Venezuela, Paraguay, Panama, Guyana, Ecuador, Curaçao, Colombia, Aruba, and Argentina were the participating nations, where players showcased their best strategies on each board using their king, queen, rooks, bishops, knights, and pawns.
The gold medalists were Ilan Schnaider from Argentina, Arturo Cáceres from Paraguay, Ernestina Adams from Argentina, and Ashley Alexandra Castillo Beitia from Panama, who is an International Master.
Medalists by Category and Format
Open Rapid
Gold: Ilan Schnaider – Argentina
Silver: Christian Allen Leydenz – Venezuela
Bronze: Andre Méndez Machado – Panama
Women’s Rapid
Gold: Ashley Alexandra Castillo Beitia – Panama
Silver: Ernestina Adam – Argentina
Bronze: Juana Mendoza Gomez – Colombia
Open Blitz
Gold: Arturo Cáceres Benitez – Paraguay
Silver: Christopher Garzón Zapatanga – Ecuador
Bronze: Andre Méndez Machado – Panama
Women’s Blitz
Gold: Ernestina Adams – Argentina
Silver: Ashley Alexandra Castillo Beitia – Panama
Bronze: Dayra Toala Velez – Ecuador
