GRAND Master Isam Ortiz registered another important success in his career, finishing second in the Continental Chess Tournament in Cochabamba, Bolivia and thereby acquiring one of four slots awarded to the World Cup, to be held next August in Troms, Norway.

Ortiz, from Moa in the eastern province of Holguin and current Cuban national champion with an ELO score of 2595, concluded the tournament with a draw in a match with Argentine Diego Flores. He made 28 moves during the game, starting with an English opening and came away with 8.5 points overall, one less than the tournament winner, Peruvian GM Julio Ernesto Granda, who retained the title he won last year.

Isam had six victories, three draws and only one defeat at the hands of the champion, who gave an impressive performance with eight wins and three draws.

Cuban GM Lázaro Bruzón qualified for the competition with a higher ELO score of 2707, but suffered a costly defeat at the hands of Peruvian Jorge Cori, finishing with 7.5 points, in sixth place.

Bruzón, with no loses in 10 previous events, was overcome with a king’s attack and defeated after 39 moves despite his Sicilian defense.

His last opportunity to claim a ticket to the World Cup will be May 31, at the zonal tournament in San José, Costa Rica, where two slots will be awarded.

Deysi Cori defeated Venezuelan GM Eduardo Iturrizaga, and along with her brother, both with eight points, won the other two slots awarded in Bolivia, in addition to Flores and Ortiz. Granda already has a ticket to Troms, having won the Pan American Championship held in Mar del Plata in 2011.