During the 2026 edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, we had the chance to speak with one of the most exciting young talents in the game, Faustino Oro.
The interview took place right after his round against Indian player Vedant Panesar, which ended in a draw. In a calm and honest post-game reflection, the Argentine prodigy, often referred to as the "Messi of Chess", shared his thoughts on the game, his growth, and his ambitions in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
♟️ On the Game
Faustino did not hide his feelings about the match.
"It was an interesting game. I suffered a bit, I mixed up the opening line by playing b4, which wasn't really appropriate, and I ended up in a worse position. It was a complicated game that ended in a draw. I was worse for most of it, but it was never easy for my opponent to convert. I'm not very happy with the game, but I can't complain about the result."
A mature and balanced take, especially considering the pressure of the event.
📈 On His Progress Since Tata Steel 2025
Comparing his current performance to last year, Faustino acknowledged both progress and expectations.
"I started with 4 out of 5, which was very good. Now I've scored 0.5 out of the last 2, which is obviously not what I wanted. But there has clearly been an improvement compared to last year. I really enjoy playing, I enjoy every tournament, and I study and train for many hours every day to improve step by step."
It is a simple answer, but it reveals a lot: discipline, consistency, and genuine passion for the game.
🧠 On the Rest Day
Even at the highest level, balance matters.
"I'll try to rest, without thinking too much about chess. And of course, I'll prepare for the next round. Since I have more time, I try to use it to prepare more calmly and study my opponent better."
The next opponent would be Andy Woodward, who would go on to win the tournament, making that preparation even more meaningful in hindsight.
🎯 Goals for the Tournament
Faustino's ambitions are clear, but grounded.
"Obviously, the goal is to win the tournament and qualify for the Masters. To play well, enjoy this amazing tournament and every game, and maybe gain some rating points."
There is confidence, but also perspective.
🌟 A Journey Just Beginning
Those were Faustino Oro's words: honest, focused, and quietly ambitious.
At such a young age, he is already competing on one of the biggest stages in chess, showing both resilience and hunger to improve. The question remains open: will he secure his final Grandmaster norm soon?
Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: players like Faustino are not just part of the future of chess — they are already shaping its present.
💭 Follow the journey. Because this is only the beginning.