Local chess player earns international honours
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Longtime chess enthusiast Gilbert Perez has brought international recognition to Manitoba after earning top honours at a global chess championship.
Brandon-based Perez earned top honours in the senior category in both the rapid and blitz events at the 25th International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) World Individual Chess Championship held in Torrevieja, Spain, from June 1-13.
The championship featured several categories, including standard, rapid and blitz competitions. Competitors in the standard event played nine rounds over nine days, with each match lasting up to four hours. Additional rapid and blitz tournaments tested players’ speed and strategy under shorter time controls.
“It was a great tournament,” Perez told the Sun. “Winning a competition outside Canada is a great achievement.”
He said he competed against players from around the world at the prestigious championship, which brings together elite chess players living with disabilities. Having previously participated in the Virtual Chess Olympiad in 2020, Perez said he has continued to receive invitations to international tournaments in countries such as Israel, Poland, Kazakhstan and India. This year marked his first time competing in Spain.
“My preparation this year was short,” he said. “Maybe if we can do this for one year and have the right support and proper training, maybe I will be one of the top players.”
Despite his success, Perez said securing enough funding to attend the tournament was his greatest challenge.
“At the last minute, I didn’t know if I could go because of the budget,” he said.
While he received some support from the Brandon and Winnipeg communities, Perez said much of the assistance came from family members, including his daughters in Brandon and Winnipeg, his sister from London, and relatives and classmates in the United States.
Perez is now hopeful that the international organization could one day host an event in Canada to raise awareness about chess opportunities for people with disabilities.
“I hope they can come here so Canadians will know that there is chess for people with disabilities,” he said.
He said discussions about bringing a future event to either Brandon or Winnipeg would require support from local organizers, sponsors and the provincial chess federation.
As he looks ahead, Perez has not ruled out competing internationally again next year, provided adequate financial support and training opportunities are available.
Perez expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make his participation in Spain possible.
“I would like to thank all my supporters for helping me,” he said.
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