Tulum Chess Players to Represent Mexico at Pan American Youth Festival

Two young chess players from Tulum, Mexico, competing in Medellin Colombia

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Two chess prodigies from Tulum will represent Mexico at the XXXVI Pan American Youth Chess Festival, taking place July 26 to August 2 in Medellín, Colombia.

Génesis Sarai Sánchez Dzib, competing in the Under-10 Female category, and Ángel Eliazin Sánchez Dzib, competing in the Under-16 Open category, earned their spots after months of intensive training with coach Ernesto Gómez of the Tulum Chess Club.

“We don’t wish you luck because you don’t need it,” Gómez told his students before their departure. “Everything you require is already within you: the training, the games, the mistakes you corrected, the victories and defeats that shaped you. That doesn’t depend on chance; it depends on your preparation. Trust your work and enjoy every game; the board knows you.”

The festival will bring together top youth chess players from across the Americas, offering the Mexican delegation a chance to gain international experience. The tournament is one of the most important on the continental youth calendar.

The participation of the Sánchez Dzib siblings highlights the growing strength of chess in Tulum, where the sport has nurtured a new generation of competitive players capable of performing on national and international stages.

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By Staff Desk

The Riviera Maya News & Events Staff Desk covers local events, cultural celebrations, community stories, and general news from across the Riviera Maya and Yucatán Peninsula. The Staff Desk produces timely coverage of festivals, municipal announcements, community initiatives, and stories that don't fall under a single specialist beat, ensuring that every corner of the region receives balanced attention.The Staff Desk draws from municipal calendars, event organizers, community submissions, and official announcements to keep English-speaking readers informed about what's happening in their communities — from charity events and school programs to local government services and cultural exhibitions.When individual bylines are not used, the Staff Desk attribution reflects collaborative reporting by the editorial team, with the same editorial standards, fact-checking, and translation review applied to every story.