El Salvador Stuns Chess World with Major Upset at 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad

El Salvador's underdog team pulled off a stunning 2.5-1.5 victory over Cuba in the opening round of the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad, thanks to standout performances by Carlos Morales and Santiago Guevara.

The Salvadoran team secured the win through wins by FIDE Masters Carlos Morales and Santiago Guevara, while Marvin Andrés Guevara contributed a draw. Santiago Guevara produced a particularly notable result by defeating Cuban Grandmaster Lelys Stanley Martínez Duany, while Morales overcame Grandmaster José Roberto Elías Reyes.

The result was especially significant given the rating difference between the teams. El Salvador entered the match with an average rating substantially below Cuba’s, with tournament statistics placing the gap at approximately 302 Elo points across the four boards.

For Santiago Guevara, the victory marked an important milestone in his first Chess Olympiad appearance. His performance, together with Morales’ win and Marvin Guevara’s draw, gave El Salvador the decisive 2.5 points needed to claim the match.

The result adds to a strong start for El Salvador at the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad, following a 4-0 victory over the British Virgin Islands in the opening round. The Salvadoran team is now demonstrating its ability to compete against significantly higher-rated opposition on one of the world’s most important international chess stages.

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