Club de Ajedrez Martintxo

♟️ About Club de Ajedrez Martintxo

The Club de Ajedrez Martintxo (Martintxo Xake Taldea) is a chess club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Basque Country, Spain. Founded in 2011, the club was created with a strong emphasis on promoting chess among young players and helping school-age competitors progress toward higher levels of competition. Today, Martintxo combines this development role with senior team chess, local tournaments, and the organization of increasingly ambitious events in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The club competes throughout the Basque chess system and fields its principal team in the División de Honor of the Basque Team Championship. Martintxo also organizes competitions for developing players, including the Open San Prudencio Sub-1800, while its largest project is the Open Internacional Ciudad de Vitoria-Gasteiz. The international open, launched in 2025, expanded substantially for its second edition in 2026 and attracted players from several countries as well as grandmasters, international masters, and other titled competitors. In 2026, Martintxo remained highly active in both team and tournament chess. Alberto García San Martín served as the club’s delegate for its División de Honor team, while Aritz Morante Rafael was team captain. During the year, Martintxo competed in the highest Basque team division, organized the III Open San Prudencio Sub-1800, and staged the II Open Internacional Ciudad de Vitoria-Gasteiz from July 27 to August 2. The international event drew 180 players representing 12 federations, including 29 titled players.

📜 History and Development

Martintxo began its activity in 2011 with only a small group of members. From the outset, its stated objective was to allow young chess players to enjoy, learn, and develop without making competitive results the sole focus. Youth participation therefore became an important part of the club’s identity. Martintxo encouraged school-age players to gain experience in provincial and Basque competitions while also creating internal training and social activities. Over time, the competitive strength of the club increased. Martintxo progressed into the upper levels of Basque team chess and developed a roster that now includes several players rated above 2000 FIDE.

♜ Basque Team Chess

Martintxo competed in the 2026 División de Honor, the top section of the Basque Team Championship. Its registered lineup included CM Ibon Domínguez Expósito, Aritz Morante Rafael, Hugo Pelegrín Gómez, Jon Bocos Delgado, Adrián Leranoz Zabalza, and Yaroslav Khoroshykh, alongside a substantial group of additional club players. The team finished the 2026 championship in eighth place with 14.5 board points. During the season, Martintxo recorded notable victories, including a 3.5–0.5 win against Marlaxka and a 2.5–1.5 victory over Orvina. In addition, the club continues to participate in rapid team tournaments and other competitions across Álava and the wider Basque Country. Martintxo won the I Torneo por Equipos San Prudencio-Marianistas in Vitoria-Gasteiz in April 2026.

🎓 Youth and Development Chess

Youth development remains closely connected with Martintxo’s original purpose. Since its foundation, the club has provided younger players with opportunities to train, play club events, and move into stronger individual and team competitions. This pathway remains visible in the present senior squad, which includes players who developed through the local and Basque competitive system. The club also supports tournaments designed for amateur and developing players rather than concentrating exclusively on elite competition. One example is the III Open San Prudencio Sub-1800, held from April 24–26, 2026 at the Martintxo club premises in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The seven-round tournament used a 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move time control. Peio Gómez de Segura won the 2026 edition, followed by Khrystyna Yatseiko and Álvaro Gómez.

🌟 Open Internacional Ciudad de Vitoria-Gasteiz

The Open Internacional Ciudad de Vitoria-Gasteiz has become Martintxo’s principal international tournament project. The inaugural edition took place from June 30 to July 6, 2025 at the Palacio de Congresos Europa, with support from the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council. The club expanded the event significantly for its second edition. The II Open Internacional Ciudad de Vitoria-Gasteiz was held from July 27 to August 2, 2026 at the Palacio de Congresos Europa. It was a nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss tournament with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Participation reached 180 players from 12 federations, with 2 GMs, 1 WGM, 12 IMs, 1 WIM, 6 FMs, 2 WFMs, and 5 CMs in the field. The tournament regulations provided a total prize fund of €8,000. IM Roberto Carlos Gómez Ledo of Cuba won the tournament with an outstanding 8/9. GM Egor Bogdanov finished second with 7.5 points, while GM José Fernando Cuenca Jiménez was among the group on seven points. The event was supported by public institutions and private partners, including the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, Basque Chess Federation, Álava Chess Federation, and other regional organizations. In addition to competition, the program incorporated chess-related presentations and public activities.