Argentine chess prodigy Faustino Oro is now one step away from becoming the youngest ever Grandmaster (GM), the highest title awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE, in its French acronym).

The 12-year-old secured two wins and seven ties at the Magistral Szmetan-Giardelli, a top-level tournament played at the Centro Cultural Recoleta in Buenos Aires. One of his top results was a tie against 2567 ELO-ranked and eight-time Argentine champion, GM Diego Flores. 

Oro wrapped up the tournament with a score of 5,5 points in total, securing the second norm — or result — he needed to earn the Grandmaster title.

Chess players need to fulfill two requirements to become Grandmaster. First they need to secure a FIDE ELO rating of at least 2500. 

Oro cleared........

© Buenos Aires Herald